1. Summary of Inspiring Stories, Experiences and Practices
The Summary of Inspiring Stories, Experiences and Practices is a key resource within the project, designed to highlight national experiences and good practices related to ageing of people with disabilities. This module aims to
- Identify and share inspiring national practices in ageing and disability services.
- Capture and share the lived experiences of ageing people with disabilities, the professionals who support them and their informal carers.
- Assess training needs and innovations in disability and geriatric care to better meet the evolving challenges in Europe.
By collecting, recording and transcribing these voices, the summary serves as both a documentation tool and an educational resource.
Key outcomes of this module include:
- A research report providing an overview of current policies and good practice in partner countries and at European level.
- A qualitative study with 42 in-depth interviews with professionals, family carers and people with disabilities aged 45+.
- An interactive visual summary, available in several languages, containing key findings, testimonials and best practices.
- Video clips showcasing inspiring stories and effective practices.
- A skills framework, aligned with the European Qualifications Framework, which identifies the training needs of professionals.
Through these resources, this module equips professionals and informal carers with the knowledge and tools to better support ageing people with disabilities. It also promotes the empowerment of beneficiaries by giving them a platform to share their experiences.
2. An e-learning training programme – Support for ageing people with disabilities
This e-learning training programme is designed to improve the skills and knowledge of professionals and informal carers who support people with disabilities as they age. Developed as part of the project, the programme aims to
- Improve understanding of the social, psychological and care needs associated with ageing and disability.
- Strengthen collaboration between the disability and ageing care sectors to ensure more inclusive, accessible and person-centred support.
- Promote a shared knowledge base through a transdisciplinary approach.
Research highlights the importance of integrating expertise from both sectors to provide high quality support (Bigby, 2002). To achieve this, the training programme is based on a work-based learning methodology that emphasises real-life experience and practical application.
By addressing the need for more training in this area (Dowse, McDermott & Watson, 2009), the programme contributes to the broader aim of the project: to equip professionals and informal carers with the tools to improve services, policies and support systems in response to evolving needs.
This innovative training resource helps to ensure that people with disabilities receive the quality support they deserve throughout their lives.
3. A toolkit for adapting services and practices to the needs of ageing people with disabilities
This toolkit is designed to help care services adapt and innovate in response to the changing needs of people with disabilities as they age. Building on the findings of the project’s research and training programme, this resource provides practical tools and methods for different types of services, including
- Residential care
- Day services
- Supported employment services
- Support for informal carers
- Mobile outreach services
At the heart of the toolkit is a methodology for co-development workshops in which professionals and managers from the disability and ageing care sectors work together to develop action plans and service improvements. These workshops address key issues such as
- Planning for later life with a focus on empowerment
- Designing age inclusive environments for people with disabilities
- Assessing changing needs and adapting services accordingly
- Improving infrastructure, activities and approaches to care
As the final stage of the project’s implementation, this toolkit translates research and training findings into practical, effective solutions. It serves as a guide for professionals, informal carers and organisations to ensure they are well equipped to provide inclusive, high-quality support tailored to the diverse needs of people with disabilities as they age.