A Case Study of Aging and Intellectual and Developmental Disability Collaboration in Ohio

Abstract

Background and objectives: Service and research organizations in Ohio collaborated to develop and expand dementia-capable home and community-based service systems, with a focus on individuals living with intellectual and developmental disability and dementia or at risk of dementia through the Administration for Community Living Alzheimer's Disease Programs Initiative (ADPI).

Research design and methods: Over a 6-year period, 3 projects engaged over 900 individuals living with dementia and their supports and approximately 3500 service professionals through 6 education initiatives and 3 evidence-based interventions.

Results: Collaborations between grantees and community partners resulted in relationship-building and knowledge transfer between aging and intellectual and developmental disability service networks, increases in individual dementia and intellectual and developmental disability knowledge and confidence, intellectual and developmental disability-specific adaptations to evidence-based interventions and educational initiatives, and identification of research gaps in the fields of aging and intellectual and developmental disability.

Discussion and implications: Aging and intellectual and developmental disability professionals now have a better understanding of intellectual and developmental disability and dementia and are more aware of the needs of individuals with life-long disability as they age. Ohio provides a compelling case study of how collaboration and knowledge transfer between the aging and intellectual and developmental disability sectors can build a foundation for innovative practices and policies to address shared challenges and opportunities.

Keywords: Cross-sector collaboration; Dementia; Dementia-capable communities; Intellectual & developmental disability.