TCAID recently carried out a project investigating the feasibility of the Echolight device, a portable bone health screening tool that offers an alternative to the traditional DXA scan, which many individuals with intellectual disability are unable to access. The project was led by Professor Éilish Burke, Professor in Intellectual Disability Nursing, together with Anne Power, Advanced Nurse Practioner, Wexford Regional Intellectual Disability Service. This video was presented as part of European Researchers’ Night 2025, highlighting the collaborative work and its potential impact on improving bone health assessment for people with intellectual disability.

On World Alzheimer’s Day, TCAID and Avista launched a series of practical videos from the Avista Memory Clinic to raise awareness about dementia and brain health in people with intellectual disabilities, who are at higher risk and often affected at a younger age. The videos focus on modifiable risk factors—such as cholesterol, sleep apnoea, and hearing—offering practical, evidence-based steps to support brain health, reduce risk, and build resilience for individuals, families, and professionals.

Easy Read Roscommon was officially launched on August 13, 2025, by Minister Hildegarde Naughton, marking a significant step toward accessible communication for people with intellectual disabilities. The initiative, Ireland’s first Easy Read Peer Review Group and dedicated website, uses plain language, short sentences, and images to make information clearer, with Speople who have lived experience reviewing materials to ensure usability. Supported by IDS-TILDA and the TCAID, the project relects a shared commitment to inclusion, equality, and ensuring that vital information is easy to understand for everyone in our communities.

TCAID was delighted to host Transition Year student Karla Romero-Hentrich for a week-long placement in April. As part of her placement, Karla took part in an off-site learning visit to Stewarts Care Equestrian Centre in Kilcloon, Co. Meath, where she had the opportunity to see firsthand how equine-assisted therapy can support individuals with intellectual disabilities.

One of the aims of the AARC-ID is to elicit the perspectives of older people with intellectual disability, their family members, caregivers and healthcare professionals (medical, allied and support/key workers) with experience in working with older adults with intellectual disability. To do so, we are recruiting individuals with experience in providing care to adults with intellectual disability who are over 40 years old to take part in a confidential interview or focus group which will be approx. 45 minutes in length.

To mark the International Day of Action for Women’s Health 2025, the Trinity Centre for Ageing and Intellectual Disability (TCAID), led by Gavin Dann, Louise Lynch, and Kieva Leslie, hosted a meaningful and inclusive day of activities focused on supporting the health and wellbeing of women with intellectual disabilities.

On Wednesday, May 14th, 2025, the Trinity Centre for Ageing and Intellectual Disability (TCAID) proudly hosted Breaking Barriers: Enhancing Cancer Care for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities — the first conference of its kind in Ireland and internationally. This landmark event focused on the urgent, under-researched intersection of cancer and intellectual disability, highlighting the significant health disparities faced by this population.

A new portrait of Professor Mary McCarron was unveiled this week by the Faculty of Health Sciences, who also presented her with the inaugural Dean’s Award for Distinguished Service to Health Sciences in recognition of her exceptional and sustained contributions to Health Sciences during the course of her professional career.