Bridging Aging and Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities in Research, Policy and Practice

Issues: Bridging the fields of aging and intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in research, policy, and practice can improve the lives of both people aging with IDD and older adults aging into disabilities. These two groups have both unique and common needs for health and long-term services and supports. Positions: Examples of bridging include exchange of research, adaptation of interventions, and development of policy embracing ideas from both fields. Research exchange includes scoping reviews of health promotion and family caregiving interventions in aging and in IDD. Adaptations from aging include such examples as chronic disease self-management, falls prevention programs, dementia caregiving, retirement planning, and end of life care. The Administration on Community Living programs in the United States are examples of policy initiatives that bridge aging and disabilities. Conclusions: Opportunities for bridging the fields of aging and IDD exist, and there are numerous examples of productive practice. Moving forward, it is important to consider the influence of future developments, such as technology and universal design, on the bridging movement. Further research can benefit our understanding of how to improve the bridge between these fields to an even greater extent.