Health Needs of Adults with Intellectual Disability Relevant for the Family Physician

People with developmental disability, mental retardation, or intellectual disability are living longer and becoming prone to age-related health problems and diseases of old age much like the general population. This worldwide trend is also seen in Israel, where today 39.8% of persons with intellectual disability in residential care are 40 years old and above. There is a need for service and staff providers to receive training; a need for more research and better service for this aging population. This review presents health concerns for older persons with different levels of intellectual disability, health concerns in persons with Down syndrome, and persons with epileptic seizures and cerebral palsy in relation to general practice and family medicine. The review is concluded with recommendations on health and aging in adults with intellectual disabilities and the call for formalized training in the topic for specialists in family medicine.

[1]  D. McCulloch,et al.  Medical needs of people with intellectual disability require regular reassessment, and the provision of client- and carer-held reports. , 2003, Journal of intellectual disability research : JIDR.

[2]  H. Waldman,et al.  Providing dental services for people with disabilities: why is it so difficult? , 2002, Mental retardation.

[3]  P. McCallion,et al.  Health characteristics and health services utilization in older adults with intellectual disability living in community residences. , 2002, Journal of intellectual disability research : JIDR.

[4]  J. Merrick.  Mortality of persons with intellectual disability in residential care in Israel 1991-1997 , 2002 .

[5]  J. Merrick,et al.  Cancer incidence in persons with Down syndrome in Israel. , 2002, Down's syndrome, research and practice : the journal of the Sarah Duffen Centre.

[6]  M. Hoghton,et al.  Helicobacter pylori: has the killer escaped from the institution? A possible cause of increased stomach cancer in a population with intellectual disability. , 2001, Journal of intellectual disability research : JIDR.

[7]  C. Böhmer,et al.  The prevalence of constipation in institutionalized people with intellectual disability. , 2001, Journal of intellectual disability research : JIDR.

[8]  N. Davies,et al.  Breast cancer screening for older women with intellectual disability living in community group homes. , 2001, Journal of intellectual disability research : JIDR.

[9]  T. Heller,et al.  Risk factors for injuries and falls among adults with developmental disabilities. , 2001, Journal of intellectual disability research : JIDR.

[10]  J. Merrick,et al.  Refractive errors and visual anomalies in Down syndrome. , 2001, Down's syndrome, research and practice : the journal of the Sarah Duffen Centre.

[11]  S. Wientroub,et al.  Musculoskeletal Problems in Down Syndrome European Paediatric Orthopaedic Society Survey: The Israeli Sample , 2000, Journal of pediatric orthopedics. Part B.

[12]  O. Webb,et al.  Health screening for people with intellectual disability: the New Zealand experience. , 1999, Journal of intellectual disability research : JIDR.

[13]  S. Zyzanski,et al.  Caring for adults with mental retardation: survey of family practice residency program directors. , 1999, Mental Retardation.

[14]  K. Devriendt,et al.  Down syndrome in a population of elderly mentally retarded patients: genetic-diagnostic survey and implications for medical care. , 1999, American journal of medical genetics.

[15]  J. Center,et al.  People with mental retardation have an increased prevalence of osteoporosis: a population study. , 1998, American journal of mental retardation : AJMR.

[16]  L. Cooke.  Cancer and learning disability. , 2007, Journal of intellectual disability research : JIDR.

[17]  M. Haveman,et al.  People with intellectual disability in general practice: case definition and case finding. , 1997, Journal of intellectual disability research : JIDR.

[18]  M. Kerr,et al.  A randomized control trial of an opportunistic health screening tool in primary care for people with intellectual disability. , 1997, Journal of intellectual disability research : JIDR.

[19]  A M Ugoni,et al.  The general practice care of people with intellectual disability: barriers and solutions. , 1997, Journal of intellectual disability research : JIDR.

[20]  H. Evenhuis.  Medical aspects of ageing in a population with intellectual disability: II. Hearing impairment. , 1995, Journal of intellectual disability research : JIDR.

[21]  H. Evenhuis.  Medical aspects of ageing in a population with intellectual disability: I. Visual impairment. , 1995, Journal of intellectual disability research : JIDR.

[22]  M. Warburg.  Visual impairment among people with developmental delay. , 2008, Journal of intellectual disability research : JIDR.

[23]  C. Crandell,et al.  Incidence of excessive/impacted cerumen in individuals with mental retardation: a longitudinal investigation. , 1993, American journal of mental retardation : AJMR.

[24]  Tracy Irons-Georges Salem Press.  Health issues , 1992 .