The Trinity Centre for Ageing and Intellectual Disability (TCAID) was delighted to be well represented at the recent @TCD_SNM, @tcddublin Research Showcase Event. Our team presented a wide variety of impactful research, including studies on bone health, cancer care, dementia support, oral health, circles of support, economic analysis of services, and family caregiving. We also had a dedicated stand to showcase what TCAID is all about 💡. A huge congratulations to Dr. Fidelma Flannery for her brilliant lightning talk ⚡ on the impacts of COVID-19 restrictions on the mental health of older adults with intellectual disabilities. A special thank you to Prof. @EilishBurke15, Director of Research, for her incredible work in organising this event 🙌. It was a fantastic opportunity to bring together research and innovation across the lifespan. #ResearchExcellence #IntellectualDisability #AgeingResearch #TCAID #TrinityCollegeDublin @TrinityResearch @IaraFSynnott @shaunaewalsh @mcmahonm44

📢 New Publication from TCAID! 📢 Our latest article, "Drug Burden Index of People Ageing with Intellectual Disability and Cognitive Complaints attending a Specialist Memory Service," explores medication burden in this vulnerable population. 💡 Background: Medications with sedative or anticholinergic properties can harm cognitive health, especially in people aging with intellectual disability (ID). Higher drug burden is linked to frailty, falls, and reduced quality of life. Key insights: - 65.5% of participants exposed to sedative/anticholinergic meds - 39.1% had a clinically significant DBI score (>1) - Higher DBI linked to psychiatric comorbidities, epilepsy, and non-Down syndrome aetiologies 🔎These findings highlight the need for careful prescribing in this population to reduce adverse effects! Read more here: doi.org/10.1111/jir.13180

📢 New Publication from TCAID! 📢 Our latest article, "An Exploration into Self-Reported Inactivity Behaviours of Adults with an Intellectual Disability using Physical Activity Questionnaires," delves into inactivity levels in this population. 💡 Background: Inactivity is linked to adverse health outcomes. Adults with intellectual disability are often more inactive than their peers, with more complex health needs. It is important to have an accurate understanding of activity levels in adults with intellectual disability, so that appropriate interventions may be designed. Self-reported questionnaires like IPAQ-SF and RAPA are widely used to assess activity, but their reliability in this group is debated. 💡Key findings: - 3 correlates of inactivity in this population were identified: getting up later, epilepsy and mobility issues. - Weak inter-questionnaire correlations were seen. This highlights the need for better tools to accurately assess inactivity for this population! Read more here: doi.org/10.1111/jir.13184