There are an estimated 641,000 adults age 60 and older with I/DD in the United States and the numbers are expected to double in the next two decades. The average life expectancy of people with I/DD was just 22 years in 1931 and now is 63 years for males and 69 years for females. At these rates, the number of American adults with I/DD aged 60 years and older is projected to reach 1.2 million by 2030.

Older adults with I/DD are often more vulnerable to conditions that will make their old age potentially more difficult such as earlier age-related health changes, limited access to quality health care, and fewer financial resources. Although most adults with I/DD live with their families, just 7.1% of funding for I/DD services is for state-provided, community-based services for individuals living in the family home. A need exists for aging adults with I/DD and their families to have access to quality supports in the face of aging family caregivers who may no longer be available for care. Already, more than 25% of family care providers are over the age of 60 and another 38% are between 41-59 years. Without a support system for adults with I/DD and their families, most will receive fewer support services and face long residential services waiting lists.

Aging With Disability Conference
Summary of Proceedings, 2012

Aging, Dementia, and Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities 
Issues associated with aging continue to garner major public attention, largely due to the burgeoning senior population, but evidence is emerging now that broad brush conclusions affecting all groups of people are ill-advised; that not all follow the same path. (article by NCCDD)

Family Support: Coming of Age - Final Report and Recommendations 2014
NCCDD Initiative by First in Families of NC, 2012-2014