Responding to the challenges of ageing and dementia in intellectual disability in Ireland

The intellectual disability (ID) population in Ireland is ageing and the number of older persons with the dual disability of ID and dementia is increasing. In spite of these demographic trends, as in other countries adequate policy and service provision for this population are lacking. This paper draws upon data available on the population with ID and dementia, reviews both generic and ID specific literature, considers the policy context and argues for a specific model of service provision. A service model is proposed for the development of multidisciplinary specialist teams within ID, delivered through mobile regional ID dementia clinics.