A one-day seminar on supporting people with a learning disability and dementia will take place on Thursday, November 19 2009 in Killiney Castle Hotel.
 
Organised by the Down Syndrome Centre, the seminar will feature the University of Edinburgh’s Diana Kerr, a practitioner, educator, trainer and researcher in the field of dementia and learning disability.
 
More than 35% of people with Down syndrome between the age of 50 to 59 also have Alzheimer’s disease, and this statistic rises to nearly 55% in those aged between 60 and 69.
 
The reason for the increased likelihood of Alzheimer’s in people with Down syndrome is because most people born with the syndrome have three copies of chromosome 21 replicated in every cell of their body, while people without Down syndrome only have two copies. The brain protein APP, which is associated with Alzheimer’s, is located on chromosome 21. Therefore, people with three copies of this chromosome are more likely to be affected by Alzheimer’s disease.
 
In recent decades, there has been a huge increase in the life expectancy of people with Down syndrome. This 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.
 
The seminar will cover topics including meeting the needs of people with intellectual disability and dementia, developing a suitable environment for them, and responding to their pain needs.
 
The seminar costs €95 and includes light lunch, tea/coffee breaks and hand-outs. Places can be booked online at www.downsyndromecentre.ie or by credit/debit card to 01 – 661 8000.