Ep 117: Terry Reiser Advocates for Aging with Dignity

In this episode of the IDD Health Matters podcast, Terry Reiser discusses her deep involvement in the field of aging and developmental disabilities, highlighting her journey from attending a conference in 2017 to becoming a board member of the Association on Aging with Developmental Disabilities. She shares a personal story about her aunt with Down syndrome, who lived through the traumatic experience of Willowbrook, a notorious institution known for mistreatment of residents, and eventually found a better life in a group home. Reiser emphasizes the importance of recognizing the growing population of aging individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and the need for improved health care services, particularly through Medicaid and Medicare managed care programs. She advocates for better data collection, internal education within managed care organizations, and stronger community partnerships to enhance support and health equity for this vulnerable population.