Dr Lisa Hanna-Trainor and Dr Laurence Taggart (Ulster) – Adults with Intellectual Disabilities (ID): Transitioning into Older Years
People with intellectual disabilities are living longer and many are living with ageing family carers: this presents challenges surrounding how services respond to the needs of both cohorts. This is a fundamental issue for policy makers, commissioners and Trusts in organising how services are planned, funded and delivered in the future. Ageing in people with intellectual disabilities commences earlier at 50 years and 40 years for those with Down Syndrome; and as they age they will develop more chronic health conditions. According to the NI Learning Disability Service Framework (2015) all individuals with intellectual disabilities ‘should have the impact of ageing taken into account in having their future needs assessed and proactively managed’. This presentation discusses the findings of a three-year study that has explored the needs of older adults with intellectual disabilities and their ageing family carers across Northern Ireland. The most effective family support models during the transition of adults with intellectual disabilities into old age will be shared with the participants.
