Highlights from the International Summit on Intellectual Disability and Dementia: Implications for Brazil

Abstract

In October of 2016, an interdisciplinary group representing North and South American and European countries met in Glasgow, Scotland, to scrutinize issues regarding adults with intellectual disability (ID) affected by dementia and to produce recommendations and guidelines for public policy, practice, and further research. The aim of this paper is to apprise relevant outcomes of the Summit targeting Brazilian researchers, clinicians, and nongovernmental organizations in the field of ageing and dementia with an eye to including ID within the Brazilian national dementia plan. Three core themes were covered by the Summit: i) human rights and personal resources, ii) personalized services and caregiver supports, and iii) advocacy and public impact. The exploration of the themes highlighted variations across countries, and revealed consensual views in matters, such as international networks, guidance for practices, and advocacy on behalf of both people with intellectual disability affected by dementia, and their families. Implications for Brazilian efforts to organize a national dementia plan are discussed and the authors proffer a series of recommendations for targeted activities within Brazil to address the needs of adults with ID affected by dementia.