Aging and developmental disability

Phys Med Rehabil Clin N Am. 2010 May;21(2):419-27. doi: 10.1016/j.pmr.2009.12.009.

Abstract

This article addresses the challenges faced by individuals with a developmental disability as they age. As this group ages, many face unpleasant experiences including poverty, isolation, abuse, and at best adequate, but more commonly poor medical care. Due to biomechanical overuse, compounded by an injured nervous system, physiologic aging is accelerated. These patients experience in their 40s and 50s physical changes that able-bodied individuals experience over the age of 70. Often these patients see the least experienced members of the health care team, leading to misdiagnosis and further comorbidity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Activities of Daily Living
  • Adaptation, Physiological
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aging / physiology*
  • Cerebral Palsy / diagnosis
  • Cerebral Palsy / mortality
  • Cerebral Palsy / rehabilitation*
  • Developmental Disabilities / diagnosis
  • Developmental Disabilities / mortality
  • Developmental Disabilities / rehabilitation*
  • Disability Evaluation
  • Disease Progression
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Persons with Disabilities / rehabilitation*
  • Physical Therapy Modalities / standards
  • Physical Therapy Modalities / trends
  • Quality of Life*
  • Self-Help Devices
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Sickness Impact Profile
  • Survival Analysis