Are Elderly People with Mental Retardation Being Included in Community Senior Citizen Centers?

Since many individuals with mental retardation are living to be senior citizens, it is important to acknowledge their special needs. The results of a survey of 221 community senior citizen centers in New York State found that only 14% had people with mental retardation attending programs at their center, although 44% felt that there was a need for community services for senior citizens with mental retardation. The activities provided at the center are presented, as well as the way the programs would respond if senior citizens with mental retardation asked to attend the centers. Implications for the type of programming, location of services, and personnel training needs are discussed.