Approved to Provide 1.5 SW CE Hours

Presented by Kathleen M. Bishop, PhD

Each person ages uniquely within patterns of aging. Unfortunately, there are myths and stereotypes about older adults. Individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities (IDD) are affected by ageism and a common assumption that adults with IDD will lose most of their capability as each age. The focus of this webinar is to dispel commonly held myths about older adults with IDD. The seven informational facts on aging presented in the webinar are intended to dispel myths and provide tips for supporting a quality of life in later years for adults with IDD.

The seven topics are:
1.    Every human ages uniquely within patterns of aging.
2.    Each person has the capacity to age successfully.
3.    It is important to know the life story, baseline function, and essence of each older adult to be able to determine underlying causes for decline and changes in function that may appear as dementia.
4.    Adults with Down syndrome are at a higher risk for Alzheimer’s dementia than the general population, around 56% by the age of 60; not the mistakenly assumed 100%.
5.    Diagnosing “Dementia” should be conducted through a differential diagnostic process.
6.    Physical and sensory environments can and should be modified to support older adults with IDD and their caregivers.
7.    It is possible to support a quality of life with older adults with IDD through understanding of aging and preventive activities.

Don’t miss this informative webinar. It will also be recorded for those who can’t attend live. Please send us questions or concerns you would like to address under the topics listed above.

About Kathleen Bishop, PhD:

Kathleen M. Bishop, Ph.D. has 40 years of experience in the IDD field and 30 as a Gerontologist with a specialty in aging with IDD. She has a BS from SUNY at Geneseo, MS in Special Education and a Ph.D. from Syracuse University in aging with disabilities. A failure at retirement from the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry and NYS OPWDD, Dr. Bishop continues to consult for many organizations and is Chair of the NTG Education and Training committee, presenting the 2-day NTG Dementia Capable Care for Adults with ID and the Third Day to become an NTG Affiliated Regional Trainer.

In her personal life, Dr. Bishop under the pen name of Mary Kathleen McKenna is author of the Women with Wisdom and Pets of Wisdom series.

The New York Alliance for Inclusion & Innovation is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers (#SW-0105).