Older Americans Month: Aging and Dementia for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Every May, the Administration for Community Living leads the nation’s observance of Older Americans Month (OAM). For 2024, this year’s theme is Powered by Connection, which recognizes the profound impact that meaningful relationships and social connections have on our health and well-being.
The Sonoran Center works to ensure proper support of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) across the lifespan. One of the ways the Sonoran Center focuses on the health and well-being of older adults is through the bi-monthly Health Care Advocacy Workshop, led by affiliated faculty Yumi Shirai, PhD, which focuses on the intersection of I/DD, aging and dementia.
The workshop is a two-hour virtual class that provides fundamental information about the unique challenges of healthy aging for people with I/DD. Family caregivers, community care providers, support coordinators and state staff who support older adults with I/DD learn helpful skills and connect with resources. Participants of the class will:
- Understand and address the challenges related to the healthy aging for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities
- Identify aging/dementia related health changes and how to address them appropriately
- Learn the steps of health care advocacy to ensure healthy aging needs are met
- Learn and utilize a dementia screening tool developed by the National Task Group on Intellectual Disabilities and Dementia Practices
The next workshop is on May 20th at 9:00 a.m. Arizona Time. The cost to participate is $20 per person, or a special group rate of 5 people for $80. Learn more and register here.