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BJSW Advance Access published online on September 12, 2005
British Journal of Social Work, doi:10.1093/bjsw/bch241
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© The Author 2005. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The British Association of Social Workers. All rights reserved.

Article

Adults with a Learning Disability Living with Elderly Carers Talk about Planning for the Future: Aspirations and Concerns

Laura Bowey 1 and Alex McGlaughlin 2*

1 Researcher with a particular interest in empowerment of people with learning disabilities and their carers
2 Reader and Associate Dean, School of Social Sciences, Nottingham Trent University

* To whom correspondence should be addressed.
Alex McGlaughlin, E-mail: alex.mcglaughlin{at}ntu.ac.uk


  Abstract

The majority of adults with a learning disability live with family carers, many of whom are ageing and have support needs of their own. Planning for the future thus becomes the key to preventing a crisis situation when family care is no longer viable because of death or ill health. Existing knowledge and practice are largely based upon the perspective of professionals and carers. This study explores the views, aspirations and concerns of adults with a learning disability, about living at home and planning for the future. Findings show that participants were very aware of the need for alternative housing or support in the future and had clear preferences about their future options. However, they also showed extensive concern for their family carers and this often impacted on their willingness to plan for the future or to move to alternative housing. Their demonstrable awareness of the inevitable death or ill health of family carers, and willingness to engage with the implications, emphasize the importance of involving adults with a learning disability in planning for their future, as well as providing them with bereavement support.

Keywords: learning disabilities, planning for the future, older family carers, empowerment.
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L. Bowey and A. McGlaughlin
Older Carers of Adults with a Learning Disability Confront the Future: Issues and Preferences in Planning
Br. J. Soc. Work, January 1, 2007; 37(1): 39 - 54.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


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