Assessment of dementia in people with learning disabilities

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    Abstract

    Alzheimer s disease and other dementias are at least as prevalent in older people with learning disabilities as in the general population. In addition, people with Down s syndrome have high rates of early onset Alzheimer s disease. Assessment of dementia in people with learning disabilities is made difficult by pre-existing cognitive and functional impairments and high rates of comorbid disorders. This paper discusses the assessment of dementia in people with learning disabilities. The assessment procedure needs to include a comprehensive description of baseline functioning and pattern of decline, rigorous medical work-up and treatment of identified conditions, serial cognitive assessments, and functional and risk assessments to guide care planning.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)3 - 9
    Number of pages7
    JournalAdvances in Mental Health and Learning Disabilities
    Volume3
    Issue number3
    Publication statusPublished - 2009

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