Social integration of older persons with mental retardation in residential facilities

The findings from a study of the social integration of a national sample of 370 older persons with mental retardation were reviewed. Individuals were selected from a national sample of all facilities owned, operated, or licensed by developmental disabilities agencies having one or more persons 63 years of age or older with mental retardation (N = 235). Facilities included foster care, small group homes (3 to 15 residents), large private facilities, and large state-operated facilities. Information was obtained on resident activities and relations considered to be indicators of social integration through extensive questionnaires completed by primary caregivers. Comparisons of the differences in community integration among residents living in different types of residential facilities were presented. The relative contribution of individual and facility characteristics to the social integration of older persons with mental retardation was explored with hierarchical multiple regression analysis.