AGING OF INDIVIDUALS WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY

Abstract

A workshop with the designation “Aging of Individuals with Intellectual Disability” in organization by the IASSID and the ESC of the Institute for Special Education and Rehabilitation was held on 15th of March this year, in the meeting hall at the Faculty of Philosophy. The quality in organization of the event and the actuality of the issues considered within the program, were acknowledged by the 108 present participants coming from different profiles.
The workshop was opened by Prof. dr. Vladimir Trajkovski from the Institute for Special Education and Rehabilitation, and was saluted by the pro-dean for international cooperation prof. Lena Damovska from the Institute of pedagogy.
Presenters of the workshop were eminent professors from the west countries such as prof. Metjy Jenicki from University in Illinois, USA.  Prof. Metjy Jenicki gave short review on the aging process of individuals with intellectual disability, pointing the demographic influence on the aging process, the commonly shared universal problems and interests, services, support and meaning of providing adequate assistance for this category of people. Dr Antonija  Kopus,    from    the   University   of Rotterdam at The Netherlands spoke about the mental health and aging with detailed discussion for the dementia and Alzheimer  diseases. Prof. Roj Braun from the University of Victoria, British Columbia in Canada referred to the quality of life in families and aging, in particular talking about contemporary questions concerning care and future planning.
Prof. Vladimir Trajkovski PhD who had presentation at the workshop and Dr. Dragan Ilievski, the president of the Association for Alzheimer disease Macedonia, were representatives from the Republic of Macedonia. Prof. Vladimir Trajkovski PhD discussed on the genetic base of the Alzheimer disease, introducing the contemporary discoveries rеguarding the etiology of the disease. Dr Dragan Ilievski discussed the situation and perspectives of individuals suffering from Alzheimer disease in Macedonia.
The completion of the workshop was finalized with productive discussion and assignation of certificates to all participants.