HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS Psychiatric Bulletin Advances in Psychiatric Treatment All RCPsych Journals		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Submit an eLetter Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via CrossRef Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by HOLLAND, A. J. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by HOLLAND, A. J.

Ageing and learning disability

Section of Developmental Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Douglas House, 18b Trumpington Road, Cambridge CB2 2AH

Declaration of interest None.

See editorial pp. 10—11, this issue.

Background Ageing is a continuation of the developmental process and is influenced by genetic and other biological factors as well as personal and social circumstances.

Aims To identify some key biological, psychological and social issues relevant to how ageing might particularly effect people with learning disabilities.

Method This selected review considers the extent to which there are similarities and differences relative to people without learning disabilities.

Results There is a convergence, in later life, between people with a learning disability and those without, owing to the reduced life expectancy of people with more severe disabilities. People with Down's syndrome have particular risks of age-related problems relatively early in life.

Conclusions The improved life expectancy of people with learning disabilities is well established. There is a lack of a concerted response to ensure that the best possible health and social care is provided for people with learning disabilities in later life.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				E. Price Pride or Prejudice? Gay Men, Lesbians and Dementia Br. J. Soc. Work, October 1, 2008; 38(7): 1337 - 1352. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				L. J. Kirk, R. Hick, and A. Laraway Assessing dementia in people with learning disabilities: The relationship between two screening measures. J Intellect Disabil., December 1, 2006; 10(4): 357 - 364. [Abstract] [PDF]

				K. E. Lavin, B. E. McGuire, and M. J. Hogan Age at death of people with an intellectual disability in Ireland. J Intellect Disabil., June 1, 2006; 10(2): 155 - 164. [Abstract] [PDF]

				E. Hatzidimitriadou and A. Milne Planning ahead: Meeting the needs of older people with intellectual disabilities in the United Kingdom Dementia, August 1, 2005; 4(3): 341 - 359. [Abstract] [PDF]

				P. McCallion, T. Nickle, and M. McCarron A comparison of reports of caregiver burden between foster family care providers and staff caregivers in other settings: A pilot study Dementia, August 1, 2005; 4(3): 401 - 412. [Abstract] [PDF]

				R. Bland, N. Hutchinson, P. Oakes, and C. Yates Double Jeopardy?: Needs and Services for Older People Who have Learning Disabilities J Intellect Disabil., December 1, 2003; 7(4): 323 - 344. [Abstract] [PDF]

				K. Watchman Why Wait for Dementia? J Intellect Disabil., September 1, 2003; 7(3): 221 - 230. [Abstract] [PDF]

				C. L. THOMPSON and A. REID Behavioural symptoms among people with severe and profound intellectual disabilities: a 26-year follow-up study The British Journal of Psychiatry, July 1, 2002; 181(1): 67 - 71. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. RICHARDS, B. MAUGHAN, R. HARDY, I. HALL, A. STRYDOM, and M. WADSWORTH Long-term affective disorder in people with mild learning disability The British Journal of Psychiatry, December 1, 2001; 179(6): 523 - 527. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				W.I. FRASER Three decades after Penrose The British Journal of Psychiatry, January 1, 2000; 176(1): 10 - 11. [Full Text] [PDF]