People with Down syndrome are at a much higher risk of developing dementia as they grow older. Recognising the early signs and understanding how best to provide support can be challenging for families, support workers and healthcare professionals.
The new Down and Dementia educational toolkit has been created to improve awareness and understanding of dementia in people with Down syndrome. It features ten case studies, each combining a short film with educational resources. Every case explores one or two dementia-related symptoms, encouraging learning, discussion and reflection.
The Down and Dementia toolkit brings together a remarkable collection of documentary footage from the life of Anne, a woman with Down syndrome. Filmed from early childhood—first by her father and later by her brother, filmmaker Leendert Pot—this intimate record of Anne’s life became the foundation of the toolkit. Together with recent footage, it provides a rare insight into how dementia develops in people with Down syndrome and its impact on individuals, families and care professionals.
Designed for families, support workers, healthcare professionals and students, the toolkit offers practical guidance and supports more person-centred care through stronger collaboration between families and professionals.
All resources are free to access. The toolkit was developed with the support of the Dutch Down Syndrome Foundation.
Explore the toolkit at www.downanddementia.eu
