Abstract
Brian is aged 47 years; he has a moderate learning disability due to Down's syndrome. He lives with his 75-year-old widowed mother. Currently, he is gaining weight and has hearing problems.
His mother reports that his behaviour is changing and he seems more aggressive.
Why do you think that Brain's behaviour may have changed?
Brain's Brian is reviewed in the GP surgery. He has wax in his ears and you arrange for him to apply olive oil for 5 days before having his ears syringed but this does not improve his behaviour. You then arrange a blood screen to exclude diabetes and thyroid problems. The results come back within the normal range. You suspect that Brian may have early dementia.
What proportion of people with Down's syndrome develops dementia?
How would you manage Brian further?
What support could you provide for Brian's mother as his carer?
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