Future Service Needs of Dually Diagnosed Elderly Persons in Southern California

Abstract

This study examines the demographic characteristics, life history, and current placement of elderly persons who are dually diagnosed. The sample to be reported on constitutes a subsample of clients from a Regional Center in Los Angeles County age 55 or older.

The data to be reported in this study was obtained by a systematic review of the case records of 132 clients of the North Los Angeles County Regional Center for Developmentally Disabled Persons who were age 55 and over in December of 1989. When information contained in client case records was unclear or conflicting, the clients, their case managers or careproviders were interviewed by the researchers to reconcile differences. Where necessary, clients were evaluated by the researchers to insure that all measures of client functioning were less than five years old.

Approximately 20% of the sample (n = 27) were dually diagnosed. The majority of those dually diagnosed were residents at State Developmental Centers. The most frequent mental health diagnosis of those residing in State Developmental Centers was Schizophrenia (55%).

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