On November 6, Professor Mary McCarron, Professor Eilish Burke, Dr Martin McMahon and Dr Eimear McGlinchey, presented to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters about improving life quality and longevity for people with disabilities, discussing findings from IDS-TILDA. Key points included progress in community inclusion, the vital role of Registered Intellectual Disability Nurses, and challenges like limited resources, healthcare inequities, and gaps in research on specific health issues affecting this population.

IDEAS 2024, held on 17-18 October 2024, marked a gathering of experts, researchers, service providers, and advocates committed to translating leading-edge research into impactful practices. Organised by the Trinity Centre for Ageing and Intellectual Disability (TCAID) in collaboration with the National Federation of Voluntary Service Providers and the HSE’s National Clinical Programme for People with Disability, the event demonstrated the critical role of evidence in shaping policy, the conference aimed to bridge research and practice. The conference empowered those who work with ageing individuals with intellectual disabilities to drive meaningful improvements in their care and quality of life.

On September 6th, an exciting event, led by Stephanie Corrigan and Prof Éilish Burke, on Sexual and Reproductive Health for women with intellectual disabilities took place. Gathering women with intellectual disabilities, thier carers, and healthcare professionals, the event addressed key health topics like contraception and menopause, sharing important research, and encouraging open discussion on historically neglected issues like consent and reproductive rights. The event aimed to end the taboo and ensure women with intellectual disabilities are included in these vital conversations. Aligning with ongoing efforts to improve healthcare access for women with intellectual disabilities.

TCAID in partnership with Donegal HSE Disability Services and NMPDU hosted a one-day conference on the 13th September in Donegal entitled "Longitudinal Dynamics in the Ageing of People with an Intellectual Disability: How Evidence from IDS TILDA can inform and support strategic planning and service delivery." The conference aimed to explore the health and social outcomes of people with intellectual disabilities as they age, featuring presentations on multimorbidity, physical health trajectories, and brain health, and drawing on longitudinal evidence from IDS-TILDA. The event included discussions on how this evidence can inform strategic planning and service delivery within disability services, with a focus on enhancing social inclusion and community participation.

Last week, TCAID collegues attended the IASSIDD world congress in Chicago. The team connected with fellow researchers, delivered 34 impactful presentations and engaged in collaborative symposiums and round-table discussions on cutting-edge research and best practice. In exciting news, Professor Mary McCarron took to the stage at the conference to officially announce that the next IASSIDD World Congress will be hosted in Dublin in 2027.

As part of the EQUIP Project, a webinar titled "Psychotropic Use in People with Intellectual Disabilities - How Evidence from the EQUIP Study can Inform and Support Policy and Practice" was held to disseminate the project’s key findings. The event explored the implications of these findings and discussed how they can inform and shape future policy and practice to enhance health outcomes and improve the quality of life for older adults with intellectual disabilities.

On 30th May 2024 TCAID members spoke at a one-day conference organised in partnership with St. Joseph’s Foundation in Cork. The event aimed to utilise findings from five waves of IDS-TILDA, to inform and support an evidence-based approach to St. Joseph’s Foundation’s future strategic planning

Trinity Centre for Ageing and Intellectual Disability were delighted to host the Horizon 21 consortium, an international research group that aims to identify and prevent the factors influencing the development of Alzheimer’s Disease in people with Down Syndrome.

On May 21st Prof Mary McCarron presented an inagural lecture at Queens University Belfast, where she shared her inspiring journey as a nurse, academic, and leader dedicated to enhancing the lives of individuals with intellectual disabilities across the globe.

The EuCan study is seeking members to join a Steering Group to shape accessible cancer care in Ireland. If you are over the age of 65 or have a physical or intellectual disability and have experienced cancer, we want to hear from you!