ORIGINAL ARTICLE Issues in caregiving for older people with intellectual disabilities and their ageing family carers: a review and commentary Assumpta Ryan BSc, RNT, RN, PGCTHE, MEd, PhD Reader, School of Nursing and Institute of Nursing and Health Research, University of Ulster, Northern Ireland, UK Laurence Taggart BSc, PGCE, RNID, PhD Lecturer, School of Nursing and Institute of Nursing and Health Research, University of Ulster, Northern Ireland, UK Maria Truesdale-Kennedy BSc, PhD Research Associate, School of Nursing and Institute of Nursing and Health Research, University of Ulster, Northern Ireland, UK Eamonn Slevin BSc, DNSc, PGDip Reader, School of Nursing and Institute of Nursing and Health Research, University of Ulster, Northern Ireland, UK Submitted for publication: 17 May 2012 Accepted for publication: 17 December 2012 Correspondence: Assumpta Ryan School of Nursing and Institute of Nursing and Health Research University of Ulster Cromore Road Coleraine County Londonderry BT52 1SA Northern Ireland UK Telephone: +44 28 70 324256 E-mail: aa.ryan@ulster.ac.uk RYAN A., TAGGART L., TRUESDALE-KENNEDY M. & SLEVIN E. (2013) Issues in caregiving for older people with intellectual disabilities and their ageing family carers: a review and commentary. International Journal of Older People Nursing doi: 10.1111/opn.12021 Background. In keeping with worldwide demographic changes and an ageing population, people with intellectual disabilities are living longer and all the evidence suggest that this trend will continue. This ‘new’ population of older people and their carers will pose challenges for health and social care providers. Aim. This paper presents a review of the literature on key issues influencing caregiving for older people with intellectual disabilities and their ageing family carers. Methods. The review was undertaken using a framework adapted from the NHS Centre for Reviews and Dissemination. Papers were identified through the use of databases including CINAHL, Science Direct, PsychoInfo, Blackwell Synergy, the Cochrane Library and MEDLINE. Findings. The key themes which emerged from the literature and which consequently form the basis of this review include: ageing family carers, future planning and support services. In the context of family caregiving, older people with intellectual disabilities represent a unique group insofar as they are unlikely to be married and therefore have no spouse or dependents to care for them in later life. As a result, parents (usually mothers) have to continue caring for their son or daughter with an intellectual disability as they both grow older, often resulting in a mutually dependent relationship. The caregiving situation is further complicated by poor emergency and future planning and by a lack of appropriate services for this group of individuals. Conclusions. In light of the emergence of a ‘new’ population of older people with intellectual disabilities, there is an urgent need to develop services and support © 2013 Blackwell Publishing Ltd 1