Intellectual disability and ageing

Over the past few decades, healthcare of people with an intellectual disability (ID) has drastically improved. Unfortunately, their average life expectancy is still substantially lower than the general population. Ageing in this vulnerable group is complex and can be accelerated depending on the underlying genetic condition associated with their disability. Despite this, they still experience the same age-related chronic diseases as the general population, but their health needs can go unidentified and unmet. This can lead to delayed diagnosis and poorer outcomes. The importance of identifying illness early and involving specialist ID teams to address their unique needs is key to improving management and prognosis.