Growing older

Down’s syndrome and Dementia

The good news is people with Down’s syndrome are living longer, however their needs in older age are in danger of being misunderstood and poorly met. There is some excellent work happening across the UK but not enough attention is being paid to developing good services to this group of people as they age.

People with Down’s syndrome are at greater risk of developing dementia. Families, health practioners and service providers need to be dementia ready. 

Practical Resources 

To access the information click on the relevant bulletin point. 

• Dementia Workbook for Staff and Carers
• Dementia DVD's
• Information Booklets on Dementia - Ageing and its Consequences and Down's syndrome and Alzheimer's Disease

There is more good news. At the DSA we know what works for people with Down’s syndrome and dementia. We can train staff so they can respond to the changing needs of this group of people who will need coherent, consistent care. We help people who provide this care to understand and feel confident about how they can adapt their practice and much of what they need to do is neither complicated nor expensive. It is about understanding and appreciating what the person is experiencing and then working with them, their friends, families and staff to provide a quality of life until the end of their life.

The DSA provide comprehensive, practical and highly relevant training to health and social care providers. We are able to do this because we work closely with all of the key clinicians and researchers in this field.

Down's syndrome and Dementia Training Days

Wednesday 20^th July 2011 and Wednesday 31^st August 2011
at Langdon Down Centre, Teddington

A free interactive training day for staff supporting adults with Down's syndrome in Greater London.   The training days raise awareness and improve knowledge and understanding of the support needed by individuals with Down’s syndrome and a diagnosis of Dementia

At the end of the session, delegates will:

• Be aware of the link between Down’s syndrome and dementia
• Be able to recognise stages of dementia
• Develop strategies to support individuals diagnosed with dementia
• Manage the physical and emotional well being of individuals with a Dementia diagnosis
• Recognise the impact and be able to manage the changes in individuals behaviour
•  Develop effective communication

For more information on these training days please contact the national office on 0845 230 0372 and ask to speak to the training team. 

The Down's Syndrome Association full training programme can be found here

Medical Practioners

Please follow the link to the most up to date advice on the diagnosis, assessment and care of people with learning disabilities and dementia by the Royal College of Psychiatrists