AGING IN ADULTS WITH DOWNS-SYNDROME IN INSTITUTIONALLY BASED AND COMMUNITY-BASED RESIDENCES

Seventy-one subjects with Down's syndrome (DS), between the ages of 29 and 68 years, and 46 matched controls (without DS) were examined for intelligence, memory (short- and long-term memory, and spatial and tem poral orientation), communication (receptive, expressive and written l anguage) and daily living skills (personal, domestic and community dai ly living skills). Ail subjects were screened on hearing and visual fu nctions, thyroid functions; depression and dementia. DS-subjects and c ontrols were matched on chronological age, mental age, living conditio ns and male/female ratio. Comparisons were made between five subgroups (1) non-demented institutionalized subjects with DS (DSi-group; n=35) ; (2) non-demented institutionalized controls without DS (Ci-group; n= 22); (3) demented institutionalized subjects with DS (n=10); (4) non-d emented subjects with DS living in group homes (DSg; n=26); and (5) no n-demented controls without DS living in group homes (Cg; n=24). Insti tutionalized and non-institutionalized subjects, as well as demented a nd non-demented subjects differed significantly on all functions measu red. Multiple regression analysis was performed to examine the influen ce of age and sensory deficits on adaptive and cognitive functioning. In DSg subjects, significant associations were found between age and m ental age, and between age and performances on written language. In (n on-demented) DSI subjects, significant relations were found between ag e and memory functions observed in daily circumstances. Moreover, in t he (non-demented) DSi elderly, visual impairment was significantly rel ated to depressed performance on daily living skills. No age effects w ere seen in control subjects. Infirmities of old age like dementia and sensory deficits were far more common in people with DS than in contr ols. psychiatric and diagnostic aspects of clinical depression and dem entia were emphasized in particular.