The first people diagnosed with RTT in the UK are now reaching mid-life. Additional challenges present such as dealing with the longer term effects both physically and mentally, inevitable changes to their personal circumstances faced with ageing parents, bereavement and transition to residential or supported living from a home environment. Research shows that depression is present in people with RTT. Further work is needed to identify how that presents and how it can be treated.

Little is known about how to keep them mobile, engage and communicate with them, support them through a transition or a bereavement. The project will; identify the possible and likely causes of depression and anxiety to minimise the risk of problems developing, train staff in how to support an older person with RTT to maintain their physical and mental well-being, and recognise signs/symptoms of depression and anxiety allowing carers to intervene before things deteriorate further.