Longevity has increased rapidly in the Down syndrome (DS) population
since around 1970 with many individuals surviving into the late 50s and 60s. There has
been a notable increase in the number of aging adults between 35-60 years (born 1947-
1972) who now require expert medical care. By the time individuals with DS reach their
40s several age-related medical conditions are usually evident and maybe expected to
progress over time. As aging and medical complexity increases, this places further
demands on aging caretakers and family members. In elderly adults experiencing
sudden changes in behavior or adaptive status it is essential to consider the contributory
role of several high impact medical conditions including sensory (hearing, vision)
impairment, sleep apnea, seizures, hypothyroidism, chronic pain or congestive heart
failure. Deterioration in gait and motor function can have multiple causes unrelated to
dementia including cervical spondylosis with neural canal stenosis, cervical spine
subluxation, lumbar disc herniation, and stroke. A high level of vigilance, routine
monitoring and timely evaluation is required to detect and treat occult medical
conditions early in their course.
Keywords: Aging, comorbidity, dementia, Down syndrome, motor deterioration,
senescence.
