Cognitive deterioration in adults with Down syndrome: effects on the individual, caregivers, and service use.
Individuals with Down syndrome (N = 49) who had participated in serial neuropsychological assessments were assigned to one of three groups comparable in level of premorbid mental retardation: those showing cognitive deterioration, those comparable in age but not showing cognitive deterioration, and those not showing cognitive deterioration but younger. Those experiencing cognitive deterioration were less likely to receive day services, had more impoverished life experiences, and required more support compared to groups without cognitive deterioration. When age was controlled for, cognitive deterioration was significantly positively associated with caregiver difficulties and service use and negatively associated with life experiences for the individual. Results suggest a potential role for caregiver difficulties in influencing life experiences of adults with Down syndrome showing cognitive decline.
Oliver
C
C
School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, United Kingdom. C.OLIVER@BHAM.AC.UK
Crayton
L
L
Holland
A
A
Hall
S
S
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D004314:Down Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006296:Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires