21 - Aging in Persons with Developmental Disabilities

Abstract

This chapter provides an overview of the currently available knowledge about aging in persons with developmental disabilities. The challenges of defining old age in this population are substantial as a result of the atypical aging manifested by some members of this group and because of their early-life onset of functional limitations. There appears to be an emerging consensus that the age of 55 years should be used to define the onset of old age in persons with developmental disabilities. Developmental disabilities are defined on the basis of the functional characteristics of the affected individual rather than on the basis of the individual's categorical diagnosis. Nevertheless, the most commonly included categories of developmental disability are mental retardation, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and autism. The chapter highlights the demographic trends that characterize this group, including its size, life expectancy data, and future population projections. This chapter presents a description of age-related changes characteristic of older persons with developmental disabilities, including changes in functional and cognitive abilities, and health and mental health status. The chapter further highlights this group's need for support and presents recommendations for future research on this subject. From a research perspective, there is a need to measure age-related changes in cognitive, functional, and health characteristics for each subgroup of the population with developmental disabilities to reach an empirically sound understanding of the process of aging in the elderly.