In November 2009, DSC ran a one-day seminar on Supporting People with a Learning Disability and Dementia featuring Diana Kerr, from the University of Edinburgh. Diana is a practitioner, educator, trainer and researcher in the field of dementia, and learning disability.

A huge increase in life expectancy for people with Down syndrome in recent decades has meant that the specific care and management of later life becomes an issue for families, carers, professionals and people working in sheltered/residential care settings. Over 35% of people with Down syndrome aged 50-59 years have Alzheimer’s disease. This statistic rises to nearly 55% in those aged between 60-69 years old.

All of those attending the conference worked in care settings and were keen to access the very practical advice that Diana delivers on meeting the needs of people with intellectual disability and dementia; developing a suitable environment and responding to their pain needs.

Based on feedback we received from those attending, we are hoping to bring Diana to Ireland in November 2010 for a futher conference and if there is specific areas that you would like to see covered, we would be grateful for your input to info@downsyndromecentre.ie