| Abstract: | The majority of adults with a learning disability live withfamily carers, many of whom are ageing and have support needsof their own. Planning for the future thus becomes the key topreventing a crisis situation when family care is no longerviable because of death or ill health. Existing knowledge andpractice are largely based upon the perspective of professionalsand carers. This study explores the views, aspirations and concernsof adults with a learning disability, about living at home andplanning for the future. Findings show that participants werevery aware of the need for alternative housing or support inthe future and had clear preferences about their future options.However, they also showed extensive concern for their familycarers and this often impacted on their willingness to planfor the future or to move to alternative housing. Their demonstrableawareness of the inevitable death or ill health of family carers,and willingness to engage with the implications, emphasize theimportance of involving adults with a learning disability inplanning for their future, as well as providing them with bereavementsupport. |
