Country
Netherlands
Dr. Alain Dekker is Head of the department of Practice-oriented Scientific Research (PWO) at Alliade, a large care organization providing diagnostics, treatment, care and support for >7000 people with intellectual disabilities and vulnerable elderly in the Dutch province of Friesland. In addition, he works as lecturer-researcher at the University of Groningen and University Medical Center Groningen. Dr. Dekker is specialised in intellectual disability research, in particular dementia in people with intellectual disabilities (dissertation about Alzheimer's disease in people with Down syndrome; with distinction/cum laude). Currently, he oversees a range of practice-oriented scientific studies focussing on people with intellectual disabilities or elderly, among others on dementia in people with Down syndrome, dementia in people with severe/profound intellectual (and multiple) disabilities and studies addressing care interventions and comorbidities often related to dementia, such as dysphagia and obstructive sleep apnea. As board member of the Dementia Table Groningen foundation, he organizes symposia to disseminate knowledge and exchange of experiences in daily practice about people with intellectual disabilities and dementia.