The process, problems and rewards of identifying older adults with an intellectual disability in New Zealand

Abstract

A national study was conducted in New Zealand in 1988–91 designed to identify as many older people as possible categorised as having intellectual disability, born 1939 or earlier. Using medical, social and administrative criteria, 1063 people were located. A national prevalence rate of 1.43 per 1000 was established. Problems in casefinding and verification included over-estimation of numbers by national organisations, missing case-history data in public hospitals, difficulties in gaining ethical approval to proceed from regional authorities, delays due to restructuring of the health system and uncertainties in the application of criteria for inclusion. Forty-seven percent of the adults were reported by the public hospitals, 35% by the nation's major community provider, 14% by rest-homes or private hospitals, 3% by general practitioners and 1% by families and other sources. Those older adults with the most severe disability were generally found in public hospitals, as well as those adults who were among the oldest. Local casefinding was easier due to New Zealand's conditions of general co-operation, relatively small population with close social ties. The study produced useful data on the distribution of older people with intellectual disability, their character and social and service needs, and public policy expectations for the future.