Developmental Disabilities & Dementia

2009 Power Point presentations from the American Association of Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities.

• Competence and Compassion: The Essentials of Dementia Responsive Supports by Genny Pugh.  Included are descriptions on how dementia presents in older adults with developmental disabilities, differential diagnosis, and interventions.
• Dementia, Intellectual Disabilities, and Community Care Models by Matthew P. Janicki, PhD.  More academinc than the presentation (above), this presentiation includs names of dementia assessment tools for persons with developmental disabilities.
• Communication of Healthcare and End-of-Life Wishes Through Person-Centered Practices: A Short Overview by Leah Ann Creaney Kingsbury, MPA

Find links to more presentations on aging and developmental disabilities from the association’s website.

Free Caregiver Education Online Videos

A San Antonio-based CCRC is offering free online educational videos for caregivers.  The videos run 10-15 minutes in length, are in English and Spanish, and cover a variety of topics including transfers, dementia and home safety, fall prevention, nutrition, advanced directives, and public benefits.  Users are asked to enter their zip code.

SSI/SSDI Compassionate Allowance for Early Alzheimer’s

In February 2010, the Social Security Administration added early-onset Alzheimer’s and 37 other medical conditions to its list of compassionate allowances.

• Alzheimer’s Association’s FAQ sheet explains SSDI, SSI, and how compassionate allowances can help a patient qualify for these public benefits, and potentially for Medicare or Medicaid.
• Alzheimer’s Association’s checklist and instructions on how to apply for SSDI or SSI under the compassionate allowance initiative.
• The Social Security Administration’s press release announcing the expansion of the compassionate allowance list; and includes the names of all 38 diseases added to the list.

Hospital Admission & Discharge Guides

Find caregiver guides from the United Hospital Funds on a variety of topics, including hospital admission procedures, hospital discharge procedures, and emergency room visits.

Learn your discharge rights under Medicare from the Center for Medicare Advocacy.

Read tips regarding Alzheimer’s related hospitalizations from the Alzheimer’s Association.

Iona Information & Referral specialists are available Monday through Friday (9am to 5pm) at 202-895-9448 or info@Iona.org to help identify aging-related resources for you and your loved ones.

New Aging-in-Place Technology

Read articles about new technology that helps seniors age-in-place in the Washington Post (GPS equipped shoes for wanderers), the Washington Examiner (high tech medical ID “bracelet), and at ABC news (various).

Research products via the Center for Aging Services Technology clearing house and AbleData.com‘s database.

Caregiving Guides

Read free general caregiving guides by the National Institute on Aging.

Read dementia-related care guides (many free) by the Alzheimer’s Association 1-800-272-3900.

Call or email Iona Information & Referral (202-895-9448; info@Iona.org) for answers to aging-related resource questions.

Delaying Alzheimer’s

2009 National Institute on Aging publication, “Can Alzheimer’s Disease Be Prevented.

Call or email Iona Information & Referral (202-895-9448; info@Iona.org) for answers to aging-related resource questions.

The Truth about Memory Exercises

2009 Stanford University press release on memory exercises.

Call or email Iona Information & Referral (202-895-9448; info@Iona.org) for answers to aging-related resource questions.