Family carers of people with learning disabilities: common themes across caring

Here, we review the role of carers in general and specifically within the learning disability services. The role of carers is recognized but not always appreciated by the healthcare services despite guidance from the Department of Health and the Royal College of Psychiatrists. Service users in learning disability have complex needs, and carers provide life-long care. Carers have reported positive and negative experiences in their caring role; however, the negative experiences of caring can be minimized by providing better support and education to the carers. The resources available to provide this support are not equally accessible to all carers, e.g. respite care. Carers will have to go through many changes in service provisions. In return for the care they provide, carers would like services to listen to them. Regular carers' needs should be assessed and person-centred support must be offered to carers by responsible services.