title: Relationship between elderly carers and the older adult with learning disabilities: an overview of the literature.
abstract: This paper presents an overview of the literature concerning the changing relationship of the elderly carer and the older adult with learning difficulties. It identifies the need to further explore the relationship between informal carers as they age and the older person with learning difficulties. The paper suggests that life changes and choices by older carers will add strain to the relationships between them and those for whom they care. These episodes will be exacerbated by the ageing of the person with learning difficulties. The lack of understanding of this changing relationship makes the adequate provision of professional care unlikely. There is a need to address how health and social services can work with both the carers and the clients to manage the process of ageing and maintain the support needed by those at risk--older adults with learning difficulties and the people who care for them.
authors.affiliation: Nursing Research Unit, School of Nursing Studies, University of Wales College of Medicine, Cardiff.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Maggs
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Laugharne
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D002755:Choice Behavior; D003153:Community Health Services; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000523:psychology*; D008016:Life Change Events; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D012944:Social Support