Programs and services received by older persons with mental retardation.

Abstract

Findings from a study of the programs and services received by a national sample of older persons with mental retardation were reviewed. Individuals were selected from a national sample of all facilities owned, operated, or licensed by developmental disabilities agencies having one or more persons 63 years of age or older with mental retardation. Facilities included foster care, small group homes, large private facilities, and state-operated facilities. One or two residents per facility were studied. A total of 370 individuals in 235 facilities were surveyed (10% of all eligible facilities). Comprehensive information on resident characteristics, day program participation, and services received was gathered through extensive questionnaire and telephone interviews of primary careproviders and directors of the day programs attended by individuals in the resident sample. Differences in programs and services received were presented by facility type.