Utilization of aging network services by elderly persons with mental retardation

Examined was the extent to which 373 programs in eight types of services provided by the aging network in Massachusetts were utilized by elderly persons with mental retardation. Based on a mailed survey, it was found that over half the programs (52%) had served such clients in 1987. In 2 of the 8 types of services, clients with mental retardation constituted at least 10% of the caseload. Characteristics that differentiated programs that provided services to persons with mental retardation and programs that did not were reported. The policy implications of the findings were discussed.