In April, we celebrated an extraordinary milestone, Bobby Power, from the Brothers of Charity Services, a remarkable man with Down syndrome, turned 70 years old. His life is a testament to resilience, love, and the changing landscape of healthcare and support for people with Down syndrome. Surrounded by family, friends, and a community that cherishes him, Bobby’s birthday bash was more than just a personal celebration; it was a moment of significance in the broader discourse on ageing and intellectual disability.

We are delighted to be recruiting a SPHeRE Scholar to join the CANDID 2 study at the Trinity Centre for Ageing and Intellectual Disability. This exciting research builds upon existing work in cancer care, ageing, and intellectual disability, using a mixed-methods approach to investigate cancer experiences among older adults with intellectual disabilities.

Mei Lin Yap, our Ambassador Liaison Officer, shares her experience of being involved in research and how we have supported her in her journey. Mei Lin’s insights are a reminder of the importance of Public and Patient Involvement (PPI) in research – ensuring that those who are directly impacted have a voice in shaping studies that affect their lives.

To mark World Oral Health Day 2025, we’re proud to highlight the work of the oral health research team at TCAID. In close collaboration with the Dublin Dental University Hospital (DDUH), the National Federation of Voluntary Service Providers, and our Keep My Teeth project partners, the team is leading innovative research that brings the voices and needs of people with intellectual disabilities into focus.

A recent study led by Dr. Vilma Maria Vera Pezo, Senior Registrar, Home-Based Treatment Team, South Lee Mental Health Services, Cork University Hospital (HSE), utilizing data from the Intellectual Disability Supplement to The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (IDS-TILDA), sheds light on the use of psychotropic medications in adults with intellectual disabilities. The findings highlight key concerns regarding prescribing patterns and associated health risks in this vulnerable population.

TCAID is thrilled to share that Dr. Eimear McGlinchey has been awarded the Civic Engagement Award for Teaching and Learning for her work in supporting the inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities within the School of Nursing and Midwifery nursing programme. Dr. McGlincheys project is focused on creating resources to support the inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities as co-educators and participants in assessments within the intellectual disability nursing program.

As 2024 comes to a close, the Trinity Centre for Ageing and Intellectual Disability (TCAID) celebrates a year of meaningful progress. Through impactful research, strategic collaborations, and evidence-based initiatives, we have advanced understanding and improved care for adults with intellectual disabilities. This year’s achievements strengthen our resolve to drive change, and we look forward to building on this momentum in 2025 to further enhance health, support, and outcomes in the field.

Join the AIIHPC Early Career Research Forum as they hear from Prof Mary McCarron as she shares her her insights on leadership across academia, research and health care.Find the full webinar available here.

On November 6, Professor Mary McCarron, Professor Eilish Burke, Dr Martin McMahon and Dr Eimear McGlinchey, presented to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters about improving life quality and longevity for people with disabilities, discussing findings from IDS-TILDA. Key points included progress in community inclusion, the vital role of Registered Intellectual Disability Nurses, and challenges like limited resources, healthcare inequities, and gaps in research on specific health issues affecting this population.