Sandy Health CentreDementia is a progressive condition that affects memory, speech, language and judgement. It has an impact on what we can do for ourselves on a daily basis.
Dementia usually occurs in older adults over the age of 65, but for individuals who have a learning disability, it may occur earlier. Research has shown that adults with Down’s syndrome over the age of 35-40 years have a greater chance of developing dementia.
We want to make sure that we monitor any changes, so that a diagnosis can be made sooner, and individuals can receive the right treatment and support at the right time.
This will allow them to maintain their independence for longer. Within the Services for People who have a Learning Disability (SPLD), we complete a baseline screening for people with Down’s syndrome. This starts from the age of 30 years, where we look at the person’s current abilities.
When future screening/monitoring are completed, these can be compared to see if there are any changes. The screening tool that we use is the Dementia Questionnaire for People with Learning Disabilities (DLD). We use this to look for changes in memory, language, speech and the ability to carry out activities of daily living. It should be completed with a carer, or someone who knows the individual well enough to give accurate and reliable information.
If this is something that could affect you or someone you support, or you
would like further information then please contact on 01234 310589