Cedar Lake Research Project

2010

The aging transition from early adulthood to later adulthood and aging is a difficult process, and is usually characterized by the gradual decline of mental faculties and physical health. This process is particularly hard for individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities (ID/DD). Individuals with ID/DD are prone to many secondary medical conditions and often experience sharp and often unpredictable declines in cognitive and physical heath. While as a society, we have made clear progress in enabling individuals with ID/DD to live in the community, we have not thoughtfully approached their later needs, especially in terms of aging and end-of-life care. As a result, residential agencies are currently unprepared to provide this kind of support, and inflexible funding streams may pose additional barriers to adequately serving this population. This study explores policy and program options for one such comprehensive residential provider - Cedar Lake, Inc. - so that Cedar Lake can provide the best service to its residents, at a time in their lives when they need it most. The fundamental question of this study was: ?What are the policy and program options for residential agencies to better serve their aging residents with dementia and increased medical needs??

Cedar Lake Case Study

Performing Research or Evaluation

Other

Professionals and Para-Professionals, Legislators/Policy Makers, General Public

Specific Groups

State

N/A