A population-based cross- sectional study of social networks and demography in older compared with younger adults with learning disabilities

Abstract

This report describes a comprehensive population-based study of people with learning disabilities aged 65 years or over, living in Leicestershire, UK (n = 134), compared with a randomly selected group of people with learning disabilities aged 20-64 years (n = 73). Older people with learning disabilities include equal numbers of men and women, unlike younger individuals where men predominate. This finding is in keeping with the general population, where women have a greater life span than men (i.e. women outlive men and so the ratio between men and women changes with age). The distribution of the degree of learning disabilities was more severe for younger as opposed to older people; this probably relates to a differential mortality rate. Differences were also found between the two groups with regard to the aetiology of learning disabilities. Fewer elderly people lived with relatives: the majority lived in residential care using both learning disabilities services and services designed for the general population of older people. The social networks of the older cohort were more restricted than those of the younger cohort, and they spent less time engaged in enjoyable social interactions and activities. This suggests that current services are not yet meeting the needs of this growing older population.