Care of Adults With Down Syndrome: The Nurse Practitioner Perspective

Abstract

Down syndrome is a chromosomal disorder that is commonly diagnosed in childhood. The most referenced care guidelines need updating and focus on children. As a result of advancements in health care, life expectancies for people with Down syndrome have reached middle to late adulthood, leaving providers unprepared for the management of common comorbidities in adults with Down syndrome. To promote quality of life in this population, this overview of emerging recommendations and evidence-based literature through a systems-based approach may help nurse practitioners foster high-quality and cost-effective services in providing care for adults with Down syndrome.