Summary:

Adults with Down syndrome are living longer due to changes in society and health care. Now that institutionalization is no longer the norm, parents and caregivers need to know what to look for and how to talk to their loved one’s physicians about issues that appear more frequently in the Down syndrome population. This course covers some of available research and offers practical information for those who wish to be involved in the health care process.

Topics:

• Co-morbid conditions
• Record keeping
• Practical solutions and preventative care at home
• How to talk to your doctor

Sample Resources:

• Chicoine, Brian & McGuire, Dennis (2010) The Guide to Good Health for Teens & Adults With Down Syndrome. Woodbine House
• Riedle RN, Donna.  Aging among the Intellectual and Developmentally Disabled Population. [Presentation]
• Glasson, E. J., Dye, D. E. and Bittles, A. H. (2014), The triple challenges associated with age-related comorbidities in Down syndrome. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 58: 393–398. doi: 10.1111/jir.12026
• American Medical Association Staff  (2007) American Medical Association Guide to Talking to Your Doctor. Wiley