Today we are talking about the Early Detection and Screen for Dementia (EDSD)—which is a checklist to help families and caregivers track changes in their loved one's behavior, skills, and abilities as they get older.

Age-related cognitive changes can happen slowly over time. The EDSD offers an easy way to monitor and document these changes, so that families and staff are able to recognize issues sooner, adapt supports accordingly, have informed discussions with medical providers, and advocate better for their loved ones. But you can use the EDSD even before you notice changes, to establish a baseline of what healthy functioning looks like for your loved one. For that reason, the EDSD is recommended for folks 35 and up.

The EDSD was created by the National Task Group on Intellectual Disabilities and Dementia Practices (NTG), and it was specifically designed for people with developmental disabilities.

Dr. Lucille Esralew is a licensed psychologist and a Certified Clinical Neuropsychologist specializing in individuals with developmental disabilities, and people with dementia. Among her many roles, she serves on the steering committee of the NTG and she spearheaded the development of the EDSD.

You can learn more about the EDSD here: https://www.the-ntg.org/ntg-edsd/documents

NTG: https://www.the-ntg.org/

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