The Impact of Ageing in People with Intellectual and Developmental Disability (original) (raw)
In the countries of Western Europe, death rates declined rapidly during the 20th century, resulting in present-day life expectancies that range from 75-79 years for males and 80-84 years for females. Premature mortality among people with intellectual and developmental disability (IDD) also decreased very significantly, especially over the course of last 50 years, with the result that life expectancy estimates are now over 70 years for people with mild IDD and 60 years for those with severe levels of IDD. The pattern of increasing survival of people with IDD means that in future years they almost inevitably will be at greater risk of age-related ill-health. There are many disorders that arise later in adulthood which commonly affect those with IDD, such as obesity, osteoporosis, epilepsy, cardiovascular disease, and dementia. Generally, the age-related ill-health experienced by people with IDD occurs at younger ages than in the general population, and greater focus is needed on disorders which emerge during middle age to senescence so that appropriate management regimes can be implemented. These are important considerations in terms of the types and continuity of care to be made available, especially since many people with IDD already outlive their parents and other family members.
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