Including best practices & the voices of experience in developing post-diagnostic dementia support guidelines for people with an intellectual disability

Increases in life expectancy in people with intellectual disability have led to aging-related discoveries. These increases in life expectancy also have implications for services planning and care. For example, it is now known that people with Down syndrome are the world’s largest population with a genetic risk for Alzheimer’s disease. However, differences in diagnostic and care needs often mean that the care people with intellectual disability receive, needs dramatic improvement. This research will increase our understanding of existing post-diagnostic dementia supports with people with intellectual disability, and what can be done to improve these services.

WEBINAR: Launch of Post Diagnostic Dementia Support Gudielines for People with an Intellectual Disability

This event introduced newly developed guidelines tailored to address the unique challenges faced by adults with intellectual disabilities. With a heightened risk for dementia, this population often faces disruptions in their living situations. These guidelines, developed during the COVID-19 pandemic, offer a roadmap for providing person-centered supports that enable individuals to age in the place of their choice. The webinar was followed by a Panel Discussion with experts discussed the next steps for implementation.

Meet the Team