People with Down syndrome have a greatly increased risk of dementia.
Advancing age increases the chances a person will develop Alzheimer's disease. Advancing age also increases the chances a person with Down syndrome will develop Alzheimer's.
Down syndrome is a genetic condition in which a person is born with extra genetic material from chromosome 21, one of the 23 human chromosomes. Most people with Down syndrome have a full extra copy of chromosome 21, so they have three copies instead of the usual two.
Alzheimer's disease is a type of dementia that causes problems with memory, thinking and behavior. Symptoms usually develop slowly and get worse over time, becoming severe enough to interfere with daily tasks. In a person with Down syndrome, changes in overall function, personality and behavior may be more common early signs of Alzheimer's than memory loss and forgetfulness.
People with Down syndrome have a greatly increased risk of dementia - signs and symptoms may begin around age 50. Having Down syndrome also increases the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. Early-onset Alzheimer's is an uncommon form of dementia that strikes people younger than 65. Because people with Down syndrome live, on average, 55 to 60 years, they are more likely to develop early-onset Alzheimer's.
The incidence of people who have Alzheimer's is greater in people with Down syndrome than the general population of that age group. Studies suggest that more than 75 percent of those with Down syndrome ages 65 and older have Alzheimer's disease, nearly six times the percentage of people in this age group who do not have Down syndrome. (source: Alzheimer's Association)
According to the Mayo Clinic, life spans have increased dramatically for people with Down syndrome. In 1910, a baby born with Down syndrome often didn't live to age 10. Today, someone with Down syndrome can expect to live to age 60 and beyond, depending upon the severity of health problems.
Adults with Down syndrome tend to age prematurely. Middle-aged people with Down syndrome and their elderly parent or parents may go through the diseases of aging at the same time, aging together as life expectancy lengthens. A sudden illness or change in the health of either can cause worry, stress and a change from the everyday routine and roles developed.
If a person with Down syndrome develops Alzheimer's dementia, he or she may have a change in behavior or function, such as wandering behavior or incontinence. An elderly parent, dealing with his or her own disabilities of aging, may need increasing help from family and the community. At some point it may no longer be safe or appropriate for them to live without supervision or assistance. This may be recognized by concerned family, if not the aged or disabled parent themselves. It is often the role of a social worker, home health nurse or family physician to recognize that help is needed and counsel in options available.
Both nursing homes and assisted living facilities may provide care to individuals with dementia and disability. Both are required to provide on-going training on dementia and disability to their staff. A dementia unit or a dementia care facility focuses on environment, safety and social activities.
In an assisted living staff are trained to recognize and report issues or changes in physical, behavioral or mental health. Many assisted living facilities are RN (registered nurse) supervised. Nursing homes are designed for people in need of 24-hour nursing care. Both types of facilities may need to be researched for suitability to the person with dementia or disability, in light of their assessed needs.