Two new courses on caring and supporting older people with learning disabilities

The Open University has launched two new courses exploring the support and care of older people with learning disabilities.  

The two courses, Supporting older people with learning disabilities and their families and Caring for an older person with learning disabilities are based on the findings of the cutting edge study, Growing Older, Planning Ahead overseen by Louise Wallace, Professor of Psychology and Health at The Open University and Professor Sara Ryan from Manchester Metropolitan University. 

Findings from the Growing Older, Planning Ahead study showed that the lack of choices afforded to older people with learning disabilities deprives them of opportunities to lead fulfilling lives. These courses aim to give professionals and families the knowledge they need to ensure that older people with learning disabilities can live the best lives possible. 

Professor Louise Wallace commented: 

“We have found that too often the needs of older people with learning disabilities and their families are overlooked by heath and care services, and as many as half the families are not even known to these services. 

“This means people get ill when it could have been prevented, and services provide crisis accommodation far from home, which is less than ideal. Family carers reported a lack of support around planning ahead and an absence of social work support.  

“But we did also find examples of excellent care where staff were chosen by the person receiving services and who shared their values and supported them to take part in activities that enhanced their lives, helping them to live and age well. Our courses aim to help families and professionals to make excellent care happen by right for everyone.“ 

The free courses were written by academics at the OU’s School of Health, Wellbeing and Social Care: Dr Liz Tilley, Professor of Learning Disability Studies, Dr Mary Larkin, Professor of Care, Carers and Caring and Jillian Pawlyn, Lecturer in Nursing and Learning Disabilities. 

The six hour course, Supporting older people with learning disabilities and their families caters for professional caregivers working with older people with learning disabilities and their families. It is designed to help understand what excellent care looks like, how care can be replicated across different settings and who needs to be involved in its delivery. 

Professor Tilley, who co-wrote the course for health and social care practitioners, said: 

“People with learning disabilities have the same right as everyone else to lead healthy and fulfilling lives in older age. Their family carers also need support, advice and guidance as they plan ahead. 

“These courses use real-life examples from our research to increase learners’ knowledge and skills and to showcase what excellent care for older people with learning disabilities can, and should, look like.” 

Jillian Pawlyn, who co-wrote the course for health and social care practitioners, added: 

“As a Registered Nurse for people with Learning Disabilities and a Specialist Practitioner – Community Learning Disabilities Nursing, I can attest to the value of the OpenLearn courses. 

“They offer a wealth of information and resources that can be incredibly helpful for students looking to further their knowledge and skills in these fields. Whether studying part-time or full-time, I highly recommend checking out the courses available through OpenLearn.” 

The four hour course, Caring for an older person with learning disabilities, is designed to help families care for relatives with learning disabilities and navigate the health, housing and social care systems as they grow older. It aims to help people plan ahead, advocate for themselves and their family member, and recognise self-care needs. 

Professor Larkin, who wrote the course for family carers, said: 

“There is very little support for family carers who are caring for an older family member with learning disabilities. 

“It has been really rewarding working on this innovative course as it represents a step change in this area in that it pulls together existing resources and cutting-edge research from the Growing Older Planning Ahead project in order to better equip those who care for a family member who is middle-aged or older to overcome the challenges of planning the future care for their family member.” 

Both courses are available to take for free on the OU’s OpenLearn platform.