Health status and health utilization of adults with intellectual disability utilizing community residential services

Background: Adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) have poorer health, reduced life expectancies and barriers to health promotion programs and medical care compared to adults without disabilities. This study's purpose was to conduct a needs assessment to determine health status and utilization of health services in adults with I/DD living in community residential facilities. Methods: Systematic chart reviews were conducted for 40 adults with I/DD living in community residential facilities. Data extracted from the charts included: problem lists with ICD-9 codes, medication lists, health encounter lists for an 18 month interval, health status data (heights, weights, BMIs, blood pressure) and laboratory results. Descriptive data analyses were generated to determine health status and to identify need for health promotion programs. Results: Mean age was 49.5 years; (52%) are males. Primary diagnosis for residents was mental retardation (50% mild, 33% moderate, 15% severe, 3% profound). A majority of participants (85%) had mental health disorders including: bipolar disorder (38%) and depression (32%). On average, residents used 2.6 psychotropic medications and 5.75 additional medications for other conditions (e.g. thyroid, seizure disorders, hyperlipidemia). BMI indicated healthy weight in 13% of participants, overweight (28%), obesity (59%) and morbid obesity (23%). Health encounter data suggest that over 18 months, the participants had an average of 39 visits across multiple services (e.g. psychiatry, dental, podiatry). Conclusions: Participants in this study had poor health status and high health utilization. Targeted interventions and health promotion programs focused on healthy weight and increased activity are warranted to improve health outcomes.