Ep 100: Supporting Aging with IDD: Early Dementia Detection and Advocacy with Kathryn Pears of NTG

In this powerful episode of IDD Health Matters, Dr. Craig Escudé welcomes Kathryn Pears, Chief Operations Officer of the National Task Group on Intellectual Disabilities and Dementia Practices (NTG). With over 40 years of experience in the field of dementia, Kathryn shares her personal and professional journey, beginning with her father's early-onset Alzheimer's diagnosis, and how it ultimately led her to advocate for individuals with intellectual disabilities who are aging and at risk for dementia. Kathryn discusses the groundbreaking work of the NTG, including their development of the Early Detection Screen for Dementia (NTG-EDSD)—a free, intuitive tool used nationwide to help caregivers identify subtle changes that could indicate early signs of dementia in people with IDD. She also dives into NTG's national curriculum, which has trained thousands of frontline staff, healthcare professionals, and even law enforcement on how to provide compassionate, effective care for aging individuals with IDD and dementia. From federal advocacy and workforce training to innovative partnerships in Texas aimed at improving emergency responses, Kathryn and the NTG are changing the landscape of aging and dementia care for this often-overlooked population. Tune in to learn three key takeaways from Kathryn's decades of experience: Don't assume behavioral changes equal dementia—rule out treatable conditions first. The heart of quality care is treating others the way you'd want to be treated. You don't need to be an expert—just be informed enough to advocate. Visit www.theNTG.org to access free resources, publications, and tools mentioned in this episode.