June was Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month, a reminder that brain health is an important part of supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) as they age. Thanks to advances in health care and community supports, people with I/DD are living longer than ever before. As a result, providers are increasingly supporting people who may experience age-related changes in memory, communication, behavior, and daily functioning.
Recognizing these changes can be challenging. Symptoms of dementia may look different in people with I/DD, and changes are sometimes mistaken for “normal aging” or attributed to a person’s disability rather than a potential health concern. Direct support professionals and other supporters are often the first to notice subtle changes, including:
Increased confusion or forgetfulness
Changes in daily routines or skills
Withdrawal from preferred activities
Changes in mood, personality, or behavior
New communication difficulties
Early recognition matters. Tracking changes and sharing observations with healthcare providers can help people receive appropriate assessments, supports, and care planning sooner.
Aging with I/DD Requires Specialized Knowledge
Some people with I/DD face increased risks for age-related conditions. For example, adults with Down syndrome are more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease as they age. Understanding these risks can help providers better support healthy aging and maintain quality of life.
A person-centered approach remains essential. Rather than assuming changes are simply part of getting older, supporters can focus on understanding each person’s baseline abilities and identifying meaningful changes over time.
Resources for Providers
To help organizations prepare for the needs of an aging population, IntellectAbility offers the Supporting People Who Are Aging eLearning course. The training provides practical guidance on healthy aging, recognizing age-related changes, supporting independence, and understanding dementia-related concerns in both the general aging population and people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Learn more at ReplacingRisk.com.
Taylor Neubner is the Communications Manager at IntellectAbility.
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