«Dementia doesn’t stand still. If you miss it, it’s too late.» early recognition of dementia’s signs in people with intellectual disabilities: A qualitative study with formal caregivers in Austria

Annalisa La Face, Veronica Pucci, Dominik Pendl, Barbara Gasteiger-Klicpera, CERI Center for Empirical Research in Inclusion, University of Graz, Salesian University Institute of Venice , Psychological Area, Institute for Early Childhood and Primary Teacher Education, University College of Teacher Education Styria, Institute of Education Research and Teacher Education, University of Graz

Journal of Intellectual Disabilities

Published online on June 25, 2026

Abstract

Journal of Intellectual Disabilities, Ahead of Print.
Caregivers play a fundamental role in the diagnostic process of dementia in people with intellectual disabilities. However, in many countries they receive no specific training on observing early dementia symptoms. This study investigates which signs ...