Aging parents' residential plans for adult children with mental retardation

Future residential plans and placement preferences of 340 mothers of adult children with mental retardation living at home were examined and findings from a 3-year follow-up discussed. Four subgroups of families were compared based upon residential plans and preferences for continued home residence for the next 2 years. Significant group differences were found for background characteristics, maternal psychological well-being, and support systems. Less than 50% had made residential plans, and the majority believed their child would still be at home in 2 years. At 3-year follow-up, 22% of the families with short-term residential plans had achieved a placement compared to 14% among families without a plan who wanted a placement.