Free webinar: The impact of ageing for people with a learning disability and complex physical disability

This webinar will take place on Zoom. Click here to register.

Presented by David Standley; Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist with Guys & St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust and Surabhi John Specialist Physiotherapist with Southwark, Lambeth and Lewisham Adults with Learning Disability Team. This webinar will be chaired by Lindsey Allen, Bild’s Learning Disability and Autism Manager. 

Overview 

We all experience ageing and its impacts on our health, body and function. People living with a physical disability experience these changes at a much earlier age than the general population. Common age-related problems including pain, fatigue, osteoporosis and arthritis can have a significant impact on a person’s health and wellbeing. People with a learning disability have poorer health outcomes then the general population and the common health problems associated with ageing can often be missed, especially as they occur at a much earlier age.  

Knowledge is power, and improving our understanding of aging can help us better advocate for people with a learning disability when they need to access healthcare.  

This webinar will explore: 

• the age-related changes common in people with a learning disability and complex physical disability;
• the impact of ageing on health and physiotherapy needs; and 
• how we can help prevent and manage some these changes.

The aim of this webinar is to improve participants’ knowledge, understanding and appreciation of ageing with the view to improve the health needs, well-being and physical presentation of people with a learning disability and complex physical disability as they age. 

At the webinar, participants will: 

• Develop an awareness of the common changes associated with aging in people with complex physical disability.
• Gain an understanding of how age-related changes can impact on a person health and wellbeing.
• Develop knowledge of potential treatment and management options to delay and reduce the impact of aging. 
• Improve confidence when supporting people with a learning disability and complex physical disability to access healthcare regarding age related changes.

About this series

This webinar is part of Bild’s Growing Older with Learning Disabilities (GOLD) series of webinars, which are designed to enable professionals and care and support workers, to support people to live long, happy and healthy lives. Click here to find out more about GOLD.

This webinar will take place on Zoom. Click here to register.

This presentation will be followed by a Q&A session. 

About David Standley

David is a clinical specialist learning disability physiotherapist working for Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust. He graduated as a physiotherapist in 2005. David has worked with adults with learning disabilities for over 20 years. Firstly as a support worker and then as a specialist learning disability physiotherapist within Lewisham, Lambeth and Southwark for the past 14 years

David has a special interest in the postural and respiratory management of adults with complex physical and learning disabilities for whom aging has a huge impact on their, and their network of care’s lives.   

He is co-author of the Standards of Practice for Physiotherapist working with Adults with a Learning Disability. Published in December 2019 they are the recognised framework to which specialist learning disability physiotherapy services and professionals work to meet the needs of the local population. 

David is also research and education officer for National Executive Committee of the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists for People with a Learning Disability (ACPPLD). 

About Surabhi John

Surabhi is a Specialist Learning Disability Physiotherapist working for Guys and St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust.  

She graduated as a Physiotherapist in 2001 from Calicut University, India and worked as a rotational Physiotherapist for a specialist Hospital for 5 years. In 2006, Surabhi came to the UK and attended Chester University, for her Postgraduate in Cardiovascular Rehabilitation.  

For the past 12 years, Surabhi has worked in the Private sector with people with complex physical and learning disabilities.

Surabhi has worked for Guys and St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust since 2020 as a specialist Learning Disability Physiotherapist. Her Special interest is in Falls and Mobility of adults with physical and Learning disabilities. 

This webinar will take place on Zoom. Click here to register.