Learning Disability in people over 65

People over 65 may experience the following problems:

If the parents are the carers, they may find this increasingly burdensome, but may be reluctant to arrange alternative care for the person.

If the parents die, bereavement may be especially difficult because of communication problems.

Dementia affects people with learning disability at a younger age than the general population. A progressive decline in intellectual and social functioning may be the first manifestation of dementia. As the life expectancy of people with learning disability is increasing, dementia in later life is becoming more common. There is a particular association between Downs syndrome and Alzheimer’s disease.

Amended April 2008