Our Mission
The NJ Family Support Group (FSG) promotes and protects the rights of Individuals who have IDD and their families. The FSG fully supports the inclusion of our aging population throughout their lifetime and is committed to improving the quality of life for individuals with IDD and their families by providing emotional support, advocacy, empowerment and education.
What Can You Expect?
The FSG aims to:
Provide emotional and educational support to family members who are caring for their relative who has Down Syndrome, Dementia, and is aging.
Discuss issues that are emerging for our community that need to be to be addressed to promote positive outcomes for individuals with IDD and their families,
Serve as an advisory committee to develop creative solutions and novel opportunities to improve health care outcomes for our aging population.
Promote improved Dental, Medical, Health and Social Care for those who are aging in the IDD community.
Thanks to advances in healthcare, today the life expectancy of a person born with Down syndrome is over 60 years of age.
As more women and men with Down syndrome reach their 40s, 50s, 60s and beyond, we are learning more about the aging process. We now know that Alzheimer’s disease and Down syndrome share a genetic connection, leading to an increased risk of Alzheimer’s at an earlier age.
Alzheimer’s disease is not inevitable. There are many factors to consider in making this diagnosis. But many families and caregivers are worried about the possibility of this diagnosis. Some may suspect early onset has begun. Others may be facing the progression of the disease. Many want to learn more.
