June TCAID: In Focus - Longitudinal Dynamics in the Ageing of People with an Intellectual Disability: How Evidence form IDS TILDA can inform and support strategic planning and service delivery.

On 30th May 2024 a team from TCAID travelled to Charleville for a one-day conference organised in partnership with St. Joseph’s Foundation in Cork. Hosted at the Charleville Park Hotel, the event aimed to bring findings from five waves of the IDS-TILDA longitudinal study to an audience of managers and front-line staff from St. Joseph’s Foundation. The goal was to inform and support an evidence-based approach to their strategic planning. By sharing these research insights, the event sought to equip attendees with valuable data on the health, well-being, and social inclusion of older adults with intellectual disabilities. This information is crucial for developing and implementing policies and practices that are responsive to the unique needs of this population. The conference provided a platform for knowledge exchange and facilitated discussions on how to integrate research findings into daily operations, thereby enhancing the quality and effectiveness of services provided by St. Joseph’s Foundation.

Facilitated by Dr Barry Coghlan, Principal Clinical Psychologist, and Mr Michael Hegarty, Chief Executive Officer, the event was attended by more than 100 participants from St. Joseph’s Foundation and other services from across the South and West.

The morning sessions included a range of thematic presentations of IDS-TILDA data including:

• Professor Mary McCarron – ‘Achieving equity in dementia care for people with intellectual disabilities: Standards, guidelines, memory services, and innovative models of care’
• Dr Darren McCausland – ‘Longitudinal evidence from IDS-TILDA of social inclusion and community participation for older adults with intellectual disability'
• Dr Damien Brennan – ‘Long-term Family care giving sustainability within Ireland, learnings from the IDS-TILDA Carers Study’
• Professor Eilish Burke – ‘Physical Health Trajectories among People with Intellectual Disability’
• Dr Louise Lynch – ‘Sedentary behaviour: an exploration in older adults with an intellectual disability'
• Dr Máire O’Dwyer – ‘Psychotropic use over ten years of IDS-TILDA: findings from the EQUIP study’

The afternoon sessions included roundtable workshop discussions, feedback from the workshops, and discussion with an expert panel.

Closing remarks from St. Joseph’s CEO, Mr Michael Hegarty, and Deputy Michael Moynihan TD, Chair of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Disability Matters, highlighted the value of IDS-TILDA data in informing best practice in policy and service development to support individuals with intellectual disabilities and their families.

The attendance of Michael Moynihan TD, a prominent figure in Irish politics and an advocate for disability rights, further underscored the importance of the conference. His participation not only demonstrated governmental support for the initiatives discussed but also emphasised the commitment of elected officials to engage with and advocate for the needs of individuals with intellectual disabilities. Having a key political representative at the event added a significant layer of credibility and highlighted the critical intersection of research, policy, and practice in improving the lives of those with intellectual disabilities.

By bringing together experts, practitioners, and policymakers, the event fostered a collaborative environment that underscored the importance of integrating research into practice. The insights shared from the IDS-TILDA study will undoubtedly aid in the strategic planning and enhancement of services provided by St. Joseph’s Foundation, ensuring that the needs of this vulnerable population are met with informed and compassionate care. The active participation and commitment of all attendees, particularly the involvement of key political figures, reflect a shared dedication to improving the quality of life for individuals with intellectual disabilities.

It is rare that you get such a vast array of expertise on ageing and ID in one room, at a given point in time – St Joseph’s Foundation were delighted to collaborate with the IDS-TILDA research team in hosting our conference on Thursday May 30th 2024. The quality and richness of information provided by all speakers was outstanding, and it set the scene for some very informative and thought provoking discussions throughout the day. I believe this collaboration is a very significant step in our journey to provide the best possible care for those within our service who are presenting with age-related health issues. St Joseph’s Foundation are looking forward to ongoing collaboration with IDS-TILDA and The Trinity Centre for Ageing and Intellectual Disability.

Dr Barry Coughlan – Principal Clinical Psychologist and Conference organiser, St. Joseph’s Foundation

I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to Prof. Mary McCarron and her esteemed colleagues from IDS-TILDA, Trinity College, for their invaluable participation in our recently held conference. Their Wave 5 report and findings on the Longitudinal Dynamics in the Ageing of People with an Intellectual Disability provide profound insight into the unique challenges and opportunities faced by the people we support and highlight how we can best support service planning delivery.

By sharing their extensive research through personable and engaging presentations, Prof. McCarron and her team greatly enriched our understanding of how we can better support individuals with intellectual disabilities and their families as they navigate the complexities of ageing. Their work underscores the importance of a holistic and person-centered approach, highlighting the diverse needs and aspirations of people with intellectual disabilities as they age.

This evidence based knowledge is instrumental for service providers, like St. Joseph’s Foundation, in empowering us to develop more effective strategies and tailored interventions that promote health, well-being, and quality of life for our ageing population. The dedication and expertise of the IDS TILDA team, combined with their approachable and engaging delivery, made it an learning day for, clinicians, healthcare leaders, family care givers and all who attended Their contributions are invaluable in helping us all work towards a more inclusive and supportive future for the individuals we serve.

I look forward to continued engagement, learning and collaboration with IDS-TILDA.

Michael Hegarty – Chief Executive Officer, St. Joseph’s Foundation