Additional Considerations for & in the IDD Community
Topics that often intersect with grief and loss, including dementia in the IDD community, palliative diagnosis and care decisions, planning ahead, and the role of support teams in end-of-life care.
A framed picture of a lone tree sitting on a wooden desk When dementia and loss occur together, the experience of grief can become more complex and less predictable. Memory, recognition, and understanding may shift from day to day, making it difficult to know how loss is being processed or expressed. This is made more challenging if the individual already experiences challenges in communicating needs or emotions. For individuals in the IDD community, this overlap can create a
Waves of sand expanding into the distance. Planning ahead is not always an easy thing to approach, especially when it relates to illness, loss, or end-of-life care. It can feel uncomfortable, or even unnecessary in the moment. But for individuals in the IDD community, planning ahead can make a significant difference in how support is experienced over time. Without a plan, decisions are often made quickly and under pressure. Information may not be shared clearly. Support may b
