Preliminary translation of ‘Reducing Disability in Alzheimer's Disease’ among individuals with intellectual disabilities and caregiver dyads

Abstract

Background: The Reducing Disability in Alzheimer's Disease in Kansas City (RDAD-KC) intervention has been shown to improve the health of individuals with dementia and caregiver dyads. This manuscript reports the results of implementing the RDAD among individuals with intellectual disabilities and caregiver dyads. Methods: Nine community agencies deployed the 12-week intervention. We assessed changes in individuals with intellectual disabilities' behavioural symptom related severity and physical activity, and caregivers' behavioural symptom-related distress, unmet needs, and caregiver strain. Results: Forty-four dyads enrolled, and 23 (~60 years, 48% female) completed ≥75% of the intervention. We observed decreases in behavioural symptom related severity (p =.07) and increases in physical activity (p =.20) among individuals with intellectual disabilities. We also observed decreases in behavioural symptom related distress (p =.14), unmet needs (p =.50), and caregiver strain (p =.50) among caregivers. Conclusions: The RDAD-KC intervention showed promising, although statistically non-significant, benefits among individuals with intellectual disabilities and their caregivers.