Hawaii Holds Forum Highlighting the Needs of Individuals with ID At-Risk or Affected by Alzheimer’s

The Hawaii Developmental Disabilities Division sponsored a forum to discuss the U.S. strategy to address Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias by 2025; the inclusion of individuals with intellectual disabilities in the National Plan to Address Alzheimer’s Disease, and what can be done to support individuals with intellectual disabilities who are at-risk of or are affected by dementia. Options discussed included the use of screening instruments, training for families and professionals, and home and community based services.

 According to the news release, “It is believed that about 6 percent of adults with an intellectual disability will be affected by some form of dementia after the age of 60. The impact of dementia increases for those individuals with Down syndrome with studies showing that at least 25 percent will be affected with dementia after age 40 and at least 50 to 70 percent will be affected with dementia after age 60”.    The event is sponsored in collaboration with Drs. Seth Keller and Matthew Janicki, the co-chairs of the National Task Group on Intellectual Disabilities and Dementia Practices, and Dr. Laurel Coleman, of the Federal Advisory Council on Alzheimer’s Research, Care, and Services. 

FMI:  Read the news article at http://health.hawaii.gov/news/files/2013/05/15-022-Forum-Highlights-Needs-of-Individuals-with-Intellectual-Disabilities.pdf.