Supporting someone with a Learning Disability
Someone with a learning disability will experience anxieties, sadness or fears about death, whether it is a loved one’s death or thoughts about their own death.
Being aware of and preparing for changes in life makes it easier to cope. Avoiding talking about upsetting situations often makes the sadness and confusion worse and can make death a sudden and unexpected experience which is much harder to process.
Talking about dying can be challenging. There are links in each page to support you to talk about each topic, along with easy read resources. Support is available from the learning disabilities team locally and from Rowcroft Hospice.
Useful resources
- Locally developed Devon advance care planning booklets – My Future and End of Life Care Plan and Future Care Plan Guidance for Support Staff
- Macmillan and Marie Curie provide easy read resources.
- Easy Read: Supporting someone with a Learning Disability through grief
- These tips for clinicians are aimed at supporting individuals and their carers in these discussions and providing best care at end of life care for people with learning difficulties.