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

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).

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.

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.

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.