Avoiding the same mistakes: What we can learn from the experiences of ageing with an intellectual disability in the USA, UK and Ireland

Objective: The purpose of this project is to gain an understanding from researchers, practitioners and community agencies in the USA, UK and Ireland on how they are supporting people with intellectual disabilities to age successfully in their own community. The project is designed to review and evaluate the leading practice models, and to examine how their key features could be implemented within Australia. Methods: A 2012 Churchill Fellowship facilitated travel to the United States, United Kingdom and Ireland between June and August 2013. Face-to-face interviews were held with key academics, government representatives and community based service providers in Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, New Jersey, Dublin, Edinburgh, London, Oxford, Cambridge, Bath, Cardiff, Birmingham, Stoke, Derby and Manchester. The interviews were audio-taped with approval and analysed for key themes and issues. Key findings: This paper will report upon the key findings of the study tour with respect to successfully supporting people ageing with an intellectual disability. There will be a particular focus on practical options that are easily replicable and applicable to the Australian political environment, and for both metropolitan and rural localities. Conclusions: Following this review of leading practice in the USA, UK and Ireland, proposals for relevant and appropriate structures of support will be recommended for implementation at a local service level. There will be specific reference to the differing needs of rural and metropolitan support agencies. It is planned that the dissemination of this information will assist to alleviate the current situation whereby service providers are largely left to each independently develop and implement solutions to what is an issue of national concern.