Dementia in older people with intellectual disability: symptoms of physical and mental illness, and levels of adaptive behaviour

Abstract

Detailed data on health and functional ability of 101 people with intellectual disability over 50 years of age are presented. Using a combination of informant interviewing, observation and measurement of cognitive change over a 3-year period, 12 of these individuals were identified as suffering from dementia. Their data are compared to those of the non-dementia sufferers. The people suffering from dementia had a greater number of chronic physical health problems and chronic disability resulting from physical health problems. Their capacity for self-directed activity was lower. The subjects had a reduced capacity to enjoy things, and were more irritable and more prone to violence. However, the outlook is somewhat different from a strategic perspective. The population of people with intellectual disability shows considerable epidemiological changes across the lifespan because of the effects of differential survival. The interaction of these factors tends to mask the impact of dementia-related skill loss in this population.