Down Syndrome, Increased Lifespan & the Need for Aggressive Physical Therapy

Down syndrome leads to many complications and often shortens the life span of the child who is born with this chromosomal disorder. However, with advancing medical technology and medical care, many children born with Down syndrome are expected to live longer, even reaching late adulthood.

In the United States, with the baby boomer population, the number of individuals over the age of 60 is expected to increase exponentially by the year 2020. Given the sector of individuals who are also living longer with developmental disabilities, the medical community will experience a significant increase in demand.

To promote independence and reduce the need of medical care for some patients, the are those in the medical community who are beginning now to address strength training and disease prevention, foreseeing the need for avoiding risk in the future. For patients with developmental disabilities, today the focus is on preparing for this boom in dependence on healthcare by providing these services in an effort to avoid risk in the future.

It estimated that 12 percent of the U.S. population will have a developmental disability and require medical care by the year 2020. These statistics are phenomenal when considering the need for healthcare services by that time. In the case of Down syndrome patients, because life spans are increasing, the risk for developing complications with age, such as thyroid disorders, cardiovascular disease and even musculoskeletal disorders will be significantly greater than the general population.

As you care for a loved one with Down syndrome, you may be quite surprised to find your healthcare professionals are interested in these health complications even when they do not presently exist. Realizing the long term impact of these health complications, and the projected increase in life span, it is important to work with your physician to begin prevention programs for the Down syndrome patient.