Aging and mental retardation

The increasing need for fundamental knowledge on the incidence, prevalence and distribution of conditions associated with aging among individuals with mental retardation is underscored by reference to several important demographic and epidemiological studies that have appeared in the past year's literature.With the general trend moving away from institutional care toward the provision of supports within natural communities, there has been a corresponding growth of interest in the health and medical status and the best means of providing healthcare for older people with mental retardation. This is also mirrored by the growth in studies of dementia, Alzheimer's disease, and other age-associated conditions, particularly as they affect individuals with Down's syndrome. In this review, we examine these studies and offer comments on the growth of an international network of researchers and practitioners who are committed to furthering knowledge in the area of aging and mental retardation.