Dr. Kathie Bishop and Ms. Kathleen Pears will go into detail regarding symptoms and behaviors associated with dementia in the IDD population, and how sensory challenges can often be misinterpreted and associated with dementia.

Dr. Ronald Lucchino, President of the Board for the SW Florida Area Agency on Aging, gives a comprehensive overview of dementia including associated behaviors and symptoms, different types, and risk factors to misdiagnosing an adult with IDD with dementia. 

Seth Keller, MD, Past President of the AADMD and Co-Chair of the National Task Group on IDD and Dementia Practices, reviews how changes in function can be assessed so that an accurate and early diagnosis of dementia can be determined. 

Dennis McTigue DDS, MS, professor of Pediatric Dentistry at Ohio State University’s College of Dentistry, speaks about the causes of dental diseases and the preventative methods/techniques to take that will help to reduce this epidemic in the IDD population.

Dr. Suzanne Smeltzer, Professor and Director for the Center for Nursing Research at Villanova University speaks about the health issues affecting women with disabilities throughout their lifespan, including common age-related issues, such as osteoporosis