The medical, functional and social challenges faced by older adults with intellectual disability

Abstract

Introduction: Little is known about the sociodemographic and clinical profi le of older adults with intellectual disabilities (ID) in Singapore. We studied the sociodemographic and clinical profi le of older adults with ID and investigated factors associated with caregiver availability and identity in this population. Materials and Methods: The study population involved all adults with ID aged ≥40 years receiving services from the Movement for the Intellectually Disabled of Singapore (MINDS), the largest such provider in Singapore. Information on sociodemographic and clinical profi les, functional status, and availability of caregivers were collected via interviewer-administered questionnaires from guardians of older adults with ID. Descriptive characteristics were computed and chi-square and logistic regression identifi ed predictors of caregiver availability and identity. Results: Participation was 95% (227/239). There were differences in client age, gender, and caregiver availability between recipients of residential and non-residential services (all P