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Planning for the future: Exploring the experiences of older carers of adult children with a learning disability
Author(s) -
Deville Jane,
Davies Helen,
Kane Ros,
Nelson David,
Mansfield Paul
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
british journal of learning disabilities
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.633
H-Index - 39
eISSN - 1468-3156
pISSN - 1354-4187
DOI - 10.1111/bld.12279
Subject(s) - receipt , psychological intervention , learning disability , challenging behaviour , intervention (counseling) , focus group , medicine , nursing , psychology , flexibility (engineering) , isolation (microbiology) , gerontology , psychiatry , statistics , mathematics , marketing , world wide web , computer science , microbiology and biotechnology , business , biology
Accessible summaryThere are a large number of adults with learning disabilities who live with and are cared for by their parents. There is a need for interventions to support older carers with their caring role and to plan for a time when they can no longer continue caring. This research looked at a local support service in England that aimed to support carers over 55 who had an adult child with a learning disability living at home. Twelve carers were interviewed individually. The study highlights the unmet needs of older family carers and shows the value of support from a carer perspective.Abstract Background There are a significant number of adults with a learning disability who live with and are cared for by their parents. There is a pressing need for interventions to support older parent carers with their role and to plan for a time when they can no longer continue caring. This article reports on the experiences of older parent carers who have been in receipt of an intervention to support future planning, in a rural part of England, delivered to older carers of their adult children with learning disabilities. Methods Semi‐structured carer interviews (n = 12) were conducted and analysed thematically. Results Four themes were identified (a) emotional needs of carer, (b) future planning, (c) accessing other services and resources and (d) links to adult care services. Carers welcomed the flexibility of the intervention and its focus on support for them, relieving their sense of isolation. Conclusions The research highlights the unmet needs of older family carers and shows the value of tailored support from a carer perspective. The findings have implications for national social care provision delivered to carers of adult children with learning disabilities in rural areas.