Let people do what they want

His point that many of them have no meaningful control over their day-to-day lives is spot-on.

Nowhere is this truer than in the case of people with learning difficulties. In many cases, whether aged 18 or 80, everyone takes part in the same day centre activities until they’re too old or ill to do so any longer.

A joint project by LHA Support Services and Nottinghamshire council has demonstrated that giving this group more control over the services they receive can directly benefit their mental and physical health.

Residents are allowed to “retire” from mainstream care facilities when they reach 60. They can choose whether to attend day centre sessions or spend their time pursing activities closer to their own interests, such as visits to bingo or the cinema.

Does it work? I think the testimony of one of our residents speaks for itself: “Now I’m retired I smile every day. I do what I want, when I want, and I love every minute.”

If, as Niall Dickson suggests, care for older people is at a crossroads, let’s not forget older people with learning disabilities and give them some choices.

Yoric Irving-Clarke, manager LHA Support Services, via email