Latest news with #KarenFonseth
Forbes
6 days ago
- Health
- Forbes
Supporting Older Adults With Intellectual Disabilities: A Growing Imperative For Leaders
Karen Fonseth is Chief Executive Officer of DASCH Inc., one of Canada's largest nonprofit organizations. People with intellectual disabilities, such as those with Down syndrome or fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, have historically had shorter life expectancies than the general population, but data from a Population Reference Bureau study found that the gap is shrinking. Thanks to improved medical care and early diagnoses, the study shows that between 2008 and 2017, the lifespan gap between adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and those without narrowed by about two years. Because of this amazing shift in life expectancy, the number of adults with intellectual disabilities is rising. Now, anyone who lives a longer life is more susceptible to common aging issues like dementia, mobility loss, chronic illness and social isolation. But for folks with intellectual disability, that complexity can multiply. A 2022 Canadian survey reported that more than 27% of adults have a disability, and adults aged 50 to 64 with intellectual disabilities have higher rates of conditions like sarcopenia and low bone density. That means early intervention and aging‑friendly planning cannot wait. Why Leaders Must Act Now The stakes are high for organizations supporting this population. When parents age or pass away, the absence of a formal care plan can trigger crisis placements in ill‑prepared nursing homes or hospitals. Recruitment struggles and staff burnout intensify without sufficient training to reinforce continuity. Leaders must challenge the disability support sector to redesign models so they are aging‑ready and rooted in both intellectual disability expertise and geriatric best practices. To meet this need, DASCH partners with the National Task Group on Intellectual Disabilities and Dementia Practices (NTG). Their training framework, adopted across Canada and the U.S., focuses on dementia recognition, consistent staffing strategies and family engagement. Staff are trained to understand nonverbal cues, manage challenging behaviors and provide consistent care. On average, a person with an intellectual disability will interact with 500 to 600 different support staff throughout their life—a level of churn that deeply erodes trust and continuity. Without an intentional focus on aging and well-trained support staff, adults with intellectual disabilities risk being overlooked at the very moment they need the most support. What Disability Support Leaders Can Do Today 1. Invest in dementia‑specific training. Partner with trusted experts like NTG to equip staff and families with early detection and response skills. 2. Prioritize staff retention and consistency. Spend time and attention on onboarding and training. Hold refresher sessions at regular intervals. 3. Create integrated adult‑day and residential programs. Promoting social connection and services like nutrition, therapy, and literacy enhances quality of life and may reduce chronic illness progression. 4. Plan ahead with families. Encourage families to engage early in estate and guardianship planning. Have a clear housing strategy to avoid crisis transitions. 5. Advocate for funding that values longevity. Support public policy that recognizes the higher needs of aging adults with intellectual disabilities and that reimburses care aligned with best practices. Dignity Through Every Stage Of Life The shift in conversation is unmistakable. Two decades ago, dementia among people with intellectual disabilities was dismissed as part of their condition. Not anymore. A growing body of research and evolving support models prove informed support raises quality of life and safeguards dignity. Leaders in the disability support sector have an obligation to evolve from reactive crisis interventions to proactive, full-lifespan support, enabling people to age in place. At DASCH, we believe the people we serve deserve nothing less than care that honors their whole life story. We owe it to them and their families to build systems rooted in dignity, respect and continuity. Forbes Nonprofit Council is an invitation-only organization for chief executives in successful nonprofit organizations. Do I qualify?
CBC
12-03-2025
- Health
- CBC
Winnipeg non-profit that works with people with disabilities gets $8M federal grant for expansion
A Winnipeg non-profit that supports people living with intellectual and physical disabilities is getting $8 million in federal funding for a major expansion of its building. The funding for Direct Action in Support of Community Homes Incorporated (DASCH) will support an expansion to its building on Buffalo Place in southwest Winnipeg, which the organization moved into in 2023, its CEO said at a Wednesday funding announcement. Karen Fonseth says the upgrades to the centre are currently in the conception phase, and will include the creation of a community hub, as well as a daycare in the building and eventually a medical clinic. All areas of the building will employ people that have intellectual disabilities, said Fonseth. The funding will also help improve accessibility in the building and integrate environmentally friendly features, DASCH said. "We have not found anything that's even similar, so this is groundbreaking in our city and province.… Based on the research we did, it doesn't exist," said Fonseth. "We look forward to the community it's going to foster and the enrichment it's going to bring to all of us." DASCH has offered a number of programs to its participants for over 50 years, including specialized individual support, home support, and day programs and transportation. Fonseth said the programs typically have long wait lists, especially DASCH Works, which helps participants find meaningful and gainful employment that fits their specific skills and talents. "We have successful employment for people who want the work, and they have the right to work," she said. "It's the normalization of being around people that are different that we in our lives don't necessarily have because everyone is separated." Winnipeg South Centre member of Parliament Ben Carr, who was at Wednesday's funding announcement, said DASCH is "one of my favourite places in the riding and in the city." "It demonstrates how to be inclusive, how to be tolerant, compassionate and how to build a community whose foundation is built on the basis of welcoming people regardless of who they are," said Carr. The federal funding is coming through the government's green and inclusive community buildings program, which was launched in 2021. DASCH also received $19 million from other funders, including the organization's own foundation, the DASCH Foundation, it said in a news release.
