The medical, functional and social challenges faced by older adults with intellectual disability.
BACKGROUND
Little is known about the sociodemographic and clinical profile of older adults with intellectual disabilities (ID) in Singapore. We studied the sociodemographic and clinical profile of older adults with ID and investigated factors associated with caregiver availability and identity in this population.


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 profiles, 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 <0.05). Common comorbidities included hyperlipidaemia (17.6%), hypertension (15.9%), psychiatric diagnoses (16.3%) and epilepsy (10.6%). The majority were fully independent in basic activities of daily living, but only 21.1% were fully communicative. Only a small minority (9.4%) were exercising regularly. The majority (73.5%) of clients had a primary caregiver; almost equal proportions relied on either parents or siblings. Older client age was associated independently with the lack of a primary caregiver, independent of greater functional dependence and presence of medical comorbidities in the client.


CONCLUSIONS
Older adults with ID have multiple medical, functional, and social issues. More can be done to support the care of this unique group of adults with special needs.
Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, National University Health System, Singapore.
Liang En
LE
Wee
Gerald Ch
GCh
Koh
Linda S
LS
Auyong
Angela Lk
AL
Cheong
Thant Thant
TT
Myo
Jingyi
J
Lin
Esther Mk
EM
Lim
Serene Xy
SX
Tan
Sridevi
S
Sundaramurthy
Chu Wen
CW
Koh
Prabha
P
Ramakrishnan
Reena
R
Aariyapillai-Rajagopal
Hemamalini
H
Vaidynathan-Selvamuthu
Ma Ma
MM
Khin
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D017028:Caregivers / Q000145:classification / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000600:supply & distribution; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D015897:Comorbidity; D003710:Demography; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006973:Hypertension / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012846:Singapore / Q000453:epidemiology; D012944:Social Support; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors