A COMPARISON OF THE HEALTH-STATUS OF DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED AND NONDEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED ELDERS

The aging of the population of persons with developmental disabilities has focused a new emphasis on this segment of elders. This study exam ines the health status of elders residing in structured community resi dences throughout the state of Vermont. Ninety elders with development al disabilities were randomly selected from such facilities and matche d by age group with 90 elders without developmental disabilities who w ere also living in structured residences. A two-part survey was design ed to interview caregivers to determine their health status. Health st atus was measured by three indicators: total number of medical conditi ons, perceived overall health, and number of daily activities performe d with difficulty. The findings of this study indicate that the health status of these two groups was very similar.