Epilepsy in adults with an intellectual disability
From all people with a mental disability, approximately one third has epilepsy. The more serious the intellectual disability is, the higher the chance of epilepsy. The combination of epilepsy and an intellectual disability can bring on extra questions and complications. Kempenhaeghe has extra expertise and facilities to clarify the cohesion between epilepsy, intellectual disability and accompanying, sometimes serious problems. Thanks to a tailormade approach we can improve the quality of life of patients with such complex problems.
A team consisting of a neurologist, a doctor for the mentally disabled, a mental health psychologist and a nursing specialist becomes involved after a patient is registered. Additional expertise is available for whomever needs this. If necessary, Kempenhaeghe has the appropriate facilities to hospitalize patients with serious and multiple handicaps.
There is space and time for extensive diagnostics, part of which may include further investigation of the seizures, sleep, wellbeing and functioning, as well as clinical genetic investigations.
The multidisciplinary team dissects the specific combination of epilepsy, mental disability and associated problems and align the solutions. This results in individual approaches for the patient, his family and his care providers.
Sometimes permanent epilepsy residential care is best for the patient. In this case, we will investigate whether the Center for Epilepsy Residential Care of Kempenhaeghe can offer a suitable form of residential care or daytime activities.