The Rochester Finger Lakes (RFL) Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association was recently recognized for an innovative educational simulation to help direct support professionals and family caregivers who support individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) living with Alzheimer’s disease.
The RFL Chapter collaborated with Rochester-based education technology company Second Avenue Learning to create the training simulation, which takes place in a virtual 3D space. In October, the project received a Gold Medal in the 2023 International Serious Play Awards in Toronto, Canada, in the Healthcare/Medical/Pharmaceutical/Nursing training category.
“The simulation training offers direct support professionals and family caregivers a self-paced, immersive experience that fosters empathy and understanding of the challenges faced by those with IDD and Alzheimer’s,” says Kathleen Pelkey, IDD health program director at the RFL Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. “Creating empathy helps caregivers to establish more meaningful connections, builds trust, improves communication, provides emotional support and helps focus on person-centered approaches.”
The simulation is part of the Alzheimer’s Association’s IDD Health Initiative, which has the goal to help people with IDD receive earlier and more accurate diagnosis of dementia, which will result in improved care, support and quality of life.
“People with IDD are experiencing unprecedented increases in longevity. As a result, they are facing more age-related challenges, including the onset of dementia,” Pelkey says. “Until now, there have been limited training and health support systems for professional and family caregivers of individuals living with IDD and dementia.”
The project was made possible through the support of the B. Thomas Golisano Foundation, which supports initiatives that promote inclusion, acceptance, and opportunity for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
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