Learning disability: care and support of people growing older

This quality standard covers identifying, assessing and regularly reviewing the care and support needs of people with a learning disability as they grow older. People with a learning disability have many of the same age-related health and social care needs as other people, but this quality standard focuses on the specific challenges associated with their learning disability. It describes high-quality care in priority areas for improvement.

Last reviewed: 24 July 2019

See information for the public for more about the source guidance and quality standard, and our EasyRead version.

We have not used a specific age limit to define people growing older with a learning disability. This is because adults with a learning disability typically experience age-related difficulties at different ages, and at a younger age than the general population.

How to use NICE quality standards and how we develop them

Quality standards help you improve the quality of care you provide or commission. They apply in England and Wales (see the UK government website and Welsh government website). Decisions on how they apply in Scotland and Northern Ireland are made by ministers in the Scottish government and Northern Ireland Executive.

Find out how to use quality standards and how we develop them.