Intellectual Disability in the Elderly

Older adults with intellectual disability (ID) represent a heterogeneous population, including individuals with genetic syndromes along with acquired brain injuries that occur during the developmental period, resulting in intellectual cognitive impairments identified in the developmental period that lead to functional impairments. Over the course of several decades, life expectancy of many individuals with ID has increased due to improved medical and social care, leading to increased challenges for providers and society to address the unique needs of this growing older adult population. Older adults with ID are more likely to have comorbid psychiatric disorders, most commonly affective disorders. Psychiatrists will be increasingly called upon to help optimize behavioral and psychiatric health of older adults with ID. Special considerations also include evaluation and management of comorbid neurocognitive disorders in patients with ID.