Dementia Guidelines, Settings & Care Plans
Many professional organizations, governmental entities, and clinicians and providers have issued guidelines or practice suggestions related to older adults with intellectual disability who may be suspected of have an additive cognitive impairment in later age. These are generally directed toward clinicians who may be asked to provide an assessment or diagnosis of whether the impairment is related to a brain disease, such as Alzheimer's, or another cause. Some provide specific information for those clinicians already familiar with intellectual disability and some provide general overview information for general practitioners and other clinicians who may intermittently examine an adult with an intellectual disability. Noted further below are some useful resources from various sources around the globe.
Dementia Care Settings
NTG Commentary on the CMS ‘Settings Rule’ and Applications for Housing Adults with Intellectual Disability Living with Dementia
Care settings for adults with dementia vary according to need and purpose. Here we explore the provision of small dementia capable group homes for adults with intellectual disability living with dementia and offer our thoughts on such home with respect to the CMS's 'settings rule.' Our advisory looks at the underlying purpose of the housing and how thoughtful planning can enrich the person's life and maintain skill sets. We provide some thoughts and recommendations for structuring such group home programs so as to maintain compliance with the 'settings rule.'
Dementia Care Plans
Providing a well thought-out plan for organizing services and supports for an adult with intellectual disability living with dementia, whether at home, with mates, or in a dementia capable setting is important. Such plans need to account for the person's choices and needs, as well as their existing capabilities. Also considered must be duration and expectations of dementia in terms of the type of dementia, the person's co-incident conditions, and emotional and physical health, diet, and physical care needs.
NTG-EDSD and Care Planning
For two informative presentations on the use of the EDSD and dementia care planning, go to our Dementia Care Planning page.