The Problem:
Older adults with developmental disabilities (DD) and their caregivers often face barriers to health care. Many providers lack training on aging with DD, and families may struggle to find professionals who understand their needs. As the number of older adults with DD grows, Texas must expand access to knowledgeable providers and better tools to support their health and well-being.
Action:
In partnership with The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, TCDD is helping build a statewide network of virtual health centers and Medicaid health homes supported through telehealth. The project provides workshops and webinars focused on aging, DD, and dementia. It is also developing a website to help older adults with DD and caregivers connect with health care providers who understand their needs and can offer appropriate support.
Results:
The project is expanding access to specialized expertise in aging and developmental disabilities across Texas, particularly in rural and underserved areas where providers and caregivers often lack training and support. Through regular Project ECHO sessions and statewide workshops, participants are gaining practical skills to address complex caregiving challenges, including managing dementia-related behaviors, distinguishing between dementia and depression, and supporting daily care needs such as bathing and safety.
Since 2021, 187 participants have completed two-day workshops on aging and dementia in people with DD, and 57 have completed additional advanced training. These participants—including caregivers, providers, and health professionals—are applying this knowledge in real-world settings to improve care quality, enhance care coordination, and better support the health and independence of older adults with DD.
The project is also building a sustainable statewide telehealth infrastructure that connects caregivers and providers to subject matter experts, increasing access to informed care and strengthening the long-term capacity of Texas’ service system to meet the needs of a growing aging population with DD.
Unique Role of the Council:
TCDD supports innovative strategies to address the needs of people with DD who are aging. The Council also brings strong partnerships with university researchers and health experts working on dementia and aging with DD.