Becoming a full-time carer for a person with Down's Syndrome is not what most people choose to do in their retirement. Rose Allan tells Sam Strangeways why it's the best decision she ever made - and why others should consider it.

"IT'S like a therapy for me," says Rose Allan about her decision to invite a 47-year-old woman with Down's Syndrome to live full-time with her and her husband. "I think to myself, if I can make her happy, much more happy than I was, then I'm satisfied."

At 67, and with her children having long ago left home, Rose could perhaps be expected to be looking forward to a peaceful retirement. Instead, she is up before 7am each morning, helping Susan to get dressed and planning a day of activities together.

She agrees it's a hectic lifestyle but wouldn't have it any other way. "I always had a feeling for people with learning disabilities," she says. "I had a rough time as a child, living in care. I felt that they were the underdog, as I was, and I wanted to help."

Rose, from Darlington, worked for social services as a carer but had to leave when she reached retirement age. Soon after, she saw an advert for Adult Placement Services, a charity which finds long-term homes for vulnerable people.

"It was exactly what I wanted - to have a one-to-one relationship," she says. "I wrote to them and they replied and then it took two years of assessments before we were matched with Susan. I was beginning to think it'd never happen, especially with my age."

Susan was living in an old people's home in Catterick, North Yorkshire, when Rose and her lorry driver husband Les, who have seven children between them from their first marriages but none together, first went to meet her.

"The home was totally inappropriate for Susan," says Rose. "Her life was slipping by. I felt she'd be better off in a family home environment. When I heard her history it made me want her more. She had no parents; they had died a few years before. And she'd never been out to school or anything."

Rose and Les began visiting Susan regularly at the home last year and taking her out, though it wasn't easy at first.

"I brought her home for a meal and she screamed all the way from Catterick to Darlington," says Rose. "I was told she was very traumatised and it would be difficult. I still felt I could do something with her."

Susan was moved to a respite centre in Darlington, where Rose's visits became daily. Then in October last year, Susan moved permanently into the couple's home.

"I was warned it was going to be hard and I was dreading it a bit," says Rose. "When she first came it was awful because she wanted to go back. She'd get her things and put them on her bed and say 'tomorrow', meaning 'can I go back tomorrow?'.

"Her father was very interested in aeroplanes and she's got these pictures of aeroplanes. My husband said, 'I think I'll put them up on the wall for her'. When she saw the pictures she took all her belongings and put them back in the drawers. It gradually turned from there."

Susan and Rose are now inseparable, spending each day together either shopping, doing housework, going to the hairdressers or visiting a club for others with learning disabilities.

"I get her up, help her downstairs, as she has some difficulty with movement, get her breakfast, wash the dishes and take her up for a bath," says Rose.

'Then everywhere I go I obviously have to take her. We go all over the place. She loves it and I now don't feel like I could be here without her. I get as much out of her as she gets out of me."

It's clear that Susan is benefiting from the placement. She squeals with delight when our photographer takes her picture with Rose and Les.

Her face lights up when Rose describes how her bedroom was covered with Christmas decorations, including a tree, and when asked what she thinks of her new home she grins and says: "I like it".

Rose describes how Susan waits at the window each night for Les to come home from work, then rushes to him when he opens the door.

"When she sees his car she goes 'hurray!'. I was a bit worried about how Les would get on with her but he struck a chord straightaway. They banter about in fun all the time."

Les, 64, admits the decision to take on Susan has been life-changing - but it's not one he regrets. "She's a good laugh and I'm enjoying it," he says. "There's never a wrong word with her." When asked what he hopes Susan can gain from the placement, he says simply: "Happiness."

Both Rose and Les want to encourage others to consider offering a home to a vulnerable person. "I'd say go for it if it's something you've thought about doing," says Les. "We had to go through a lot of hassle at the start, police checks and stuff, but it was worth it.

"If people like us don't do anything and take care of others, then who will? It's our way of giving something back to people who haven't got what we have."

Rose echoes his sentiments. "We have built up a relationship with Susan and we can see how that is benefiting her and us. I say it's wonderful - but then I'm biased."

* Adult Placement Services finds long-term placements for vulnerable adults, including those with learning disabilities and mental health problems. It also offers short breaks and holidays, and needs people willing to offer care in their homes. The charity, which has offices throughout North Yorkshire and the North-East, can be contacted on (01609) 783883 (Northallerton) or (01642) 633556 (Teesside).