In the last decade it has been observed worldwide that people with intellectual disanility (ID) now experience increased lifespan. The present study was conducted to monitor the trends in aging in persons with ID in residential care centers in Israel.
Since 1998-1999, an annual survey of medical-clinic activity for all residential care centers for people with ID has been conducted and data from these surveys were used to investigate the trends in aging.
The residential care center population today comprises about 7,000 persons of all ages. From 1999 to 2006, the population of 40-49 year olds remained stable, but the 50-59 year olds increased by 5.6%, while the 60 years and older group increased by 2.9%.
Recommendations for service for this population and age group are discussed. Older people with ID have the same needs as other older people do, and they are subject to the same age-related impairments and illnesses (9). Moreover, because many disabled individuals live together with their families, the burden is double because the family members are also aging and with time, will not be able to continue their care-giving. As with older people in general, older people with intellectual disability also have social needs, housing needs, medical needs, the need for activity or work and special care needs for age-associated conditions, such as Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, increasing fragility, or conditions or diseases compromising independent functioning.