Walter Makuch: An Aging Adult with Down Syndrome

Price (includes one year of access and CE):  US$16 Course Code: 7SENNF-PRV-09-ddn13s34 CE: 3.00 Hours. Post Test Score Required for Successful Completion: 80%

Course Overview:

Research shows that people with Down syndrome show aging changes in many body systems 10 to 20 years earlier than do other people. Some aging changes associated with Down syndrome currently are not preventable or curable, e.g., Alzheimer's disease. Other aging changes, such as sleep apnea, obesity, and hearing loss, are secondary conditions. Nursing assessment and intervention when early signs of secondary conditions present can help maintain function and quality of life. This module is a case scenario that follows an older man with Down syndrome over eight years as he moves to a group home after his mother's death, to a hospital for care of an acute illness, to a long-term-care facility for rehabilitation, and, ultimately, back to the group home to age in place with hospice care. During this time, the nurse assesses and intervenes when secondary conditions affect his health, behavior, and ability to function. Particular attention is given to the differentiation of Alzheimer's disease and the manifestation of Alzheimer's-like symptoms in the older adult with Down syndrome. This module also discusses future planning, advocacy for aging in place, and end-of-life care for older people with developmental disabilities.

Course Objectives:

After completion of this learning activity, the learner will be able to:

• compare and contrast the expected changes of aging in relation to persons with and without Down syndrome.
• describe secondary conditions and their relationship to the aging process in a person with Down syndrome.
• discuss the sequelae of losses that may be experienced by an aging person with Down syndrome.
• discuss the advocacy role of the nurse for aging in place.
• identify assessment parameters for Alzheimer's disease in a person with Down syndrome.
• identify three issues that may confront elder parents of adult children with Down syndrome.
• describe the PASARR process (Pre-Admission Screening and Annual Resident Review) in relation to a person with Down syndrome.
• describe legal and ethical issues as they relate to a person with Down syndrome as he or she is aging.

This courseware was made possible in part by grant number R43 NR04738-03 from the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR). Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors.

Copyright© 2007 by HealthSoft, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

HealthSoft, Inc. is an approved provider of continuing nursing education by the New York State Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.

It has been assigned code 7SENNF-PRV-09.

This course is updated annually. Expiration date: 5/1/11

The faculty and planners of this course have no vested interests to disclose.

This course has received no commercial support.