How can informal care help someone with learning disabilities?
Informal care and support provided by loved ones can be invaluable in supporting someone with a learning disability – but you don’t have to go it alone.
Families can often feel a strong responsibility to carry the entire burden of their loved one’s care, but it’s important to remember that specialist learning disabilities carers have undergone extensive training to ensure that they are equipped and skilled in delivering that care. They also have the advantage of being one step removed from the situation, enabling them to act compassionately, but without needing to juggle care delivery alongside all other aspects of family life.
The best and most effective support often combines informal care for learning disabilities delivered by loved ones, with person-centred professional support provided by an expert care team. This ‘best of both worlds’ approach ensures that the individual continues to feel understood and supported by those closest to them, whilst the whole family can benefit from the knowledge and expertise of specialist learning disabilities support – not to mention the family time this support allows them to reclaim.
Informal carers are too often prone to putting themselves last, living in ‘survival mode’ as they attempt to be both family member and full-time carer. There is no shame in asking for help – particularly when it can benefit the individual and their loved ones, as well as help to restore family relationships.
Find out more about combining expert support and informal care to help someone with learning disabilities, by contacting our Realise team.
Support for people with learning disabilities, autism or acquired brain injury
Our Realise team are experts in providing individually-tailored care and positive behaviour support for people with learning disabilities, autism or acquired brain injury. Find out more about the Realise team, and the empowering, person-centred support they provide.
