Health promotion and disease prevention strategies in older adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Eli Carmeli,Bita Imam

doi:10.3389/fpubh.2014.00031

Abstract

The rapid growth in the number of individuals living with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) along with their increased longevity present challenges to those concerned about health and well-being of this unique population. While much is known about health promotion and disease prevention in the general geriatric population, far less is known about those in older adults with IDD. Effective and efficient health promotion and disease prevention strategies need to be developed and implemented for improving the health and quality of life of older adults living with IDD. This is considered to be challenging given the continued shrinkage in the overall health care and welfare system services due to the cut in the governmental budget in some of the western countries. The ideal health promotion and disease prevention strategies for older adults with IDD should be tailored to the individuals’ health risks, address primary and secondary disease prevention, and prevent avoidable impairments that cause premature institutionalization. Domains of intervention should include cognitive, mental and physical health, accommodations, workplace considerations, assistive technology, recreational activities, and nutrition.

Highlights

Older adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) are made up with several characteristics and uniquenesses: The majority of older adults with IDD live with their family or in a community home, while others live in private or governmental hostels or residential care centers [1, 2]. Over the two–three decades, more adults with IDD will be living longer into their 70s and 80s [3]. Older adults with IDD are exposed to a range of health problems, and a rapid functional and cognitive decline. Older adults with IDD deprived some social support such as financial support, accommodation, health care regulation, and lifestyle
Some individuals with IDD such as adults with Down syndrome (DS) are more likely to develop early-onset dementia and are more likely to die at a younger age [5]
Since the life expectancy of individuals with IDD is somewhat shorter than the general population, along with a poor mental and physical health status, planning ahead “cannot be based solely on chronological age cut-offs.”

Summary

PUBLIC HEALTH

Reviewed by: Joav Merrick, Ministry of Social Affairs, Israel Ilan Feldberg, Ministry of Social Affairs, Israel. While much is known about health promotion and disease prevention in the general geriatric population, far less is known about those in older adults with IDD. Effective and efficient health promotion and disease prevention strategies need to be developed and implemented for improving the health and quality of life of older adults living with IDD. This is considered to be challenging given the continued shrinkage in the overall health care and welfare system services due to the cut in the governmental budget in some of the western countries.

INTRODUCTION

Carmeli and Imam

Findings

CONCLUSION