Relationship Between Mobility Limitations and the Places Where Older Adults With Intellectual Disabilities Live

Abstract

ABSTRACTAs the population ages, mobility limitations are associated with increased mortality and negative health‐related states both in the general population and among people with intellectual disabilities. The influence of mobility limitations upon the lives and lifestyles of people with intellectual disabilities remains poorly understood. Specifically, the extent to which mobility limitations might limit residential options for individuals and families has not been evaluated. To determine the relationship between mobility limitations and place of residence for adults with intellectual disabilities, age 45 and older, a proxy‐response telephone survey was completed for 128 adults with intellectual disabilities in Southeastern Ontario. A participant's place of residence was categorized as being “high support” (group homes and nursing homes) or “low support” (living alone, with family, roommates, or host family). People with a score of 12 or less on the Rivermead Mobility Index were considered to have a mobility limitation. The relationship between mobility limitations and high‐support residential settings was analyzed using a multivariate logistic regression model. After adjusting for age, sex, and presence of cerebral palsy, communication problems and behavior problems, people with mobility problems had 3.6 times greater odds of living in high‐support settings. Authors concluded that mobility limitations are associated with residence in “high‐support” settings and that further investigation is needed to determine the direction of causality and to create programs and services that equalize opportunities.