Creating a Dementia-Friendly Programming for Persons with IDD using the PEO Model

Speakers:

• Froma Jacobson, M.Ed, OTR/L
• Calli Carlson, OTR/L, CDP, CLT
• Kylie Watson, OTD, OTR/L

Learner Outcomes:

1. Participants will increase understanding of how the increased incidence of dementia amongst persons with IDD (most notably Down Syndrome) creates demand fir dementia friendly day programming 75% over baseline.
2. Participants will gain 7 resources (incidence of occurrence, training, program ideas, model programs, networking) including a make it take it for schedules, visuals and activity guidelines for staff.
3. Recognizing that this is a neglected population and niche area of emerging OT practice, participants will identify 5 OT perspectives embedded into programming in The Opportunity Tree Supported Aging Program.

Abstract:

Age is widely recognized as the primary risk factor for the development of dementia (World Health Organization, 2025). Approximately 77% of adults with Down Syndrome between 60 and 69 exhibit symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.

Consistent with the PEO Model, The Opportunity Tree in Phoenix, in collaboration with Hospice of the Valley, has developed an occupationally robust program for the rapidly increasing population of persons described as having IDD (and Down syndrome) identified to have or at higher risk for dementia. Using the Supported Aging Program at TOT as a model, the session will focus on strategies to increase occupational performance of this population including a skill assessment developed to designate programming (for a cognitive or sensory focus group), tool to observe triggers and occupation availability, balanced scheduling to maximize engagement across areas of occupation and adaptations for the comorbidities of aging (sensory, mental health and mobility challenges).

Resources, opportunities for training/networking, sample schedules, adaptations to reminiscent activities, guidelines for staff to deliver therapeutic activities and specialty programming community partners resources will be provided: Participants will use templates to create their own materials. This is a call to extend traditional OT for persons with IDD from pediatrics to dementia friendly settings!

 

 

Biography of Speaker(s):

Froma Jacobson has been practicing occupational therapy for 56+ years, most currently with persons with IDD also dx with dementia or the potentiality of developing dementia. She currently consults to The  Opportunity Tree, Phoenix (under a grant from Hospice of the Valley) and is a regional trainer for the National Task Group on Intellectual Disabilities and Dementia Practices.

Calli Carlson is an occupational therapistexperienced in management, education, clinical instruction, dementia care, cardiopulmonary rehabilitation and lymphedema management. Calli loves collaborating with families and utilizing meaningful therapies to improve quality of life.

Dr. Kylie Renea Watson, OTD/R/L, BS holds a Bachelor of Science in Therapeutic Recreation and Disability Studies and a Doctorate in Occupational Therapy from Northern Arizona University. Dr. Watson began working with young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) through a college-based transition program focused on life skills development, sparking a long-standing passion for promoting independence and meaningful participation across the lifespan. Her professional experience spans outpatient neurorehabilitation, school-based therapy, and community-based supports. She currently serves as the Program Manager for the Supported Aging program at The Opportunity Tree, a nonprofit organization providing innovative, inclusive services for individuals with I/DD. In this role, Dr. Watson leads the development of holistic recreational programming designed to support health, wellbeing, and quality of life as individuals with I/DD and dementia age. She is deeply committed to advancing equitable, person-centered aging experiences for this underserved population through interdisciplinary collaboration and proactive program development.

 

References to Support Evidence-Based Practice:

Ervin, D. A. (2025). The state of medical care for adults with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. Medical Care, 63(1 Suppl 1), S1–S7. https://doi.org/10.1097/MLR.0000000000001977

Heller, T., Krahn, G. L., & Larson, S. (2024). Advancing inclusive brain health and dementia care for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities: A public health framework. The Gerontologist. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnaf222

Hwang, Y. I., Funk, J., Kuo, A. D., & Crisanti, A. (2017). Prevalence of aging, dementia, and multimorbidity in older adults with Down syndrome. JAMA Neurology, 74(10), 1237–1244. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamaneurol.2017.1940

Keller, P. C., & Sappok, T. (2025). Dementia in intellectual disability: An exploratory investigation of comorbidity patterns and diagnostic outcomes. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 69(10), 1105–1113. https://doi.org/10.1111/jir.70016

Law, M., Cooper, B., Strong, S., Stewart, D., Rigby, P., & Letts, L. (1996). The person environment occupation model: A transactive approach to occupational performance. Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 63(1), 9–23. https://doi.org/10.1177/000841749606300103

Lott, I. T., & Head, E. (2019). Dementia in Down syndrome: unique insights for Alzheimer disease research. Nature Reviews Neurology, 15(3), 135–147. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41582-018-0132-6

The Opportunity Tree. (n.d.). Find your place at The Opportunity Tree. https://theopportunitytree.org/

Wissing, M. B. G., Ulgiati, A. M., Hobbelen, J. S. M., De Deyn, P. P., Waninge, A., & Dekker, A. D. (2022). The neglected puzzle of dementia in people with severe/profound intellectual disabilities: A systematic literature review of observable symptoms. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 35(1), 24–45. https://doi.org/10.1111/jar.12920

World Health Organization. (2025, March 31). Dementia. https://www.who.int/news-room/factsheets/detail/dementiahttps://www.who.int/news-room/factsheets/detail/dementia