Abstract:

Discusses the new phenomenon of the survival into old age of the increasing numbers of people with learning difficulties, which raises both theoretical & practical policy issues. In the U.K, health & social services for older people & for people with learning difficulties have followed quite different paths - one based on a limited, age discriminatory view of "normal" aging, & the other focused on a potentially liberating concept of normalization. This distinction is being challenged by the advent of older people with learning difficulties, raising questions regarding, eg, the meaning of normalization in old age. Focusing on this key question, different principles behind service provision for these two groups are illustrated, & it is argued that the concept of normalization is flawed when applied to older people. The alternative of social integration is proposed as the basis for organizing health & social services for both older people & those with learning difficulties.