Aging Phenomena among People with Mental Retardation in Community Residence in Israel

Abstract

The main goal of the present study was to investigate phenomena of aging among people with mental retardation in community residence, in one of the largest cities in Israel. Subjects were 37 men and 28 women, in three age groups: 40-49 (N = 26), 50–59 (N = 25), and 60+ (N = 14) living in group homes (N = 53) and apartments (N = 12). Eleven subjects are people with Down Syndrome, 9 have cerebral palsy, 8 have sensory deficits, 9 have psychiatric disorders, and 28 are people with mental retardation, no specific syndrome. The survey aimed at investigating aging phenomena in physical health, daily living skills, occupation, cognition, social life and leisure activities in relation to age, syndrome and residential framework. Results indicate declines as early as age 40 in physical health. The most common ailment is diabetes, followed by weight problems. People with cerebral palsy were most affected by aging. Twenty-two percent lost previous mobility, needing wheelchairs, and their daily functioning declined drastically. There was, however, no evident decline in intellectual functioning. People with Down syndrome showed the greatest decline only in leisure activities. The differences in aging phenomena between residential frameworks are related to differences in the residents' retardation levels and syndromes.