Health characteristics and health services utilization in older adults with intellectual disability living in community residences.

Background: The health status and health needs of adults with intellectual disability (ID) change with advancing age, and are often accompanied by difficulties with vision, hearing, mobility, stamina and some mental processes.

Aim: The present study collected health status information on a large cohort of adults with ID aged > or = 40 years living in small group, community-based residences in two representative areas of New York State, USA.

Method: Adult group home residents with ID aged between 40 and 79 years (n = 1371) were surveyed to determine their health status and patterns of morbidity.