Toward a Research Agenda on the Impact of Dementia upon Carers of Adults with Intellectual Disability

Abstract

The World Health Organization’s report, Dementia: A Public Health Priority, noted that the number of people affected by dementia will continue to increase and called for nations to address the impact of dementia upon their populations. This included considering the impact on carers providing for adults with intellectual disability affected by Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. Within the context of the USA’s dementia plan, a national group has advocated that the needs and interests of adults with dementia and their carers be taken into account when dementia-related research is undertaken. In preparation for the second national summit on caregiving and dementia to be held in the USA in 2020, this article describes an effort undertaken by this national group to identify needed research related to carers of adults with intellectual disability. The group identified three focal areas for the summit to consider: the effect of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia on carers, challenges for carers of adults with intellectual disability when dementia becomes evident, and barriers that carers face when accessing supports. A list of recommended topics to be researched is provided.