Aging with mental retardation: increasing population of older adults with MR require health interventions and prevention strategies.

The second half of the 20th century vastly increased the life span of those with mental retardation (MR). Today the average life expectancy of older adults with MR is 66.1 years and growing. As these individuals age, they present increasing challenges to the clinician. Increased rates of hearing and visual impairments, obesity, and osteoporosis as well as high rates of dementia with associated psychiatric problems make care for the aging individual with MR complex. Primary care providers need to be aware that elders with MR will comprise an increasing part of their practice, and that they present with many chronic conditions.