This is a plain English summary of an original research article. The views expressed are those of the author(s) and reviewer(s) at the time of publication.
![](https://evidence.nihr.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Report-300x300.png)
Easy-read report.
![]() | The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) is an organisation that funds others to do Health and Care research. |
![]() | There are many older people with learning disabilities, and some do not get enough help to live good lives. |
![]() | Their families worry about what will happen in the future. This study looked at how to make things better for them. |
The research | |
One of the researchers was Professor Sara Ryan from Manchester. She and her team wanted to know what would help older people with learning disabilities to live good lives. | |
![]() | The team talked to lots of people with learning disabilities, their families and some support workers who work at people’s homes and day centres. |
What did they find out? | |
![]() | People with learning disabilities said that they want to live in a safe and comfortable home, with good public transport and green spaces nearby. |
![]() | They want to live on their own, or choose who they live with. |
![]() | They like to stay in touch with their family, and feel that they belong in the community. |
![]() | They like to do lots of fun activities and be free to work, own a pet or do gardening, for example. |
![]() | They like to have support workers who understand them well and make them comfortable, especially if they don’t use words to communicate. |
What needs to get better? | |
![]() | The researchers said that some things need to get better. Some older people don't get to choose where they live or who they live with. |
![]() | Some do not choose what they do every day. Some spent all day watching TV. |
![]() | People with learning disabilities like to have the same support worker for years. But sometimes there aren’t enough support workers. |
![]() | The researchers say there needs to be a plan for when people get very old or sick. Support workers need to learn more about supporting older people with learning disabilities, helping them to stay active, and eat well. |
What did the researchers do? | |
![]() | The researchers made special cards on topics like ‘Things I might need help with’ and ‘Mum and Dad getting ill or dying’. The cards include questions to help people with learning disabilities talk about what they want in the future. |
![]() | The researchers say that everyone should be able to make choices and have a happy life as they get older. They want everyone to work together to make things better. |
Where can you find out more? | |
Click here for more details. | |
Click here if you would like to read the full report by Sara and her team. | |
Click here to see a film about Geoff, who took part in this study. | |
Click here to find out more about taking part in a study about people with learning disabilities. |
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