Aging and developmental disabilities: interagency planning for an emerging population

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Public Health Policy
• Developmental Disabilities Services

Background:

• Emergence of a population with both aging and developmental disabilities.
• Need for interagency planning and policy development.
• Previous lack of data on service provision for this demographic.

Purpose of the Study:

• Assess current service provision for aged persons with developmental disabilities.
• Project service needs for 1990.
• Identify health care, residential, and support service gaps.

Main Methods:

• Data collection from state agencies serving the aged or individuals with developmental disabilities.
• Comparison of current service recipients with population projections.
• Identification of service needs across multiple domains.

Main Results:

• Quantification of the population receiving services.
• Projection of future service demands.
• Identification of specific needs in health care, residential services, and day programming.

Conclusions:

• Direct planning outcomes achieved through task force efforts.
• Indirect process outcomes, including enhanced interagency collaboration.
• Importance of continued planning for this growing population.