Aging in the community--a matter of choice.

A sample of 16 older persons with mental retardation (mean age, 61 years; mean IQ, 62) who were originally studied in 1960-1961 and subsequently followed up in 1972-1973 and 1982 were reexamined. Despite advancing years, their independence, social competence, and zest for life had increased. The patterns of their lives were discussed in comparison with their counterparts who had spent their lives in more restricted residential settings.