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Ruth and Randy Rigsby can't remember the last time they had a vacation. The couple, who are in their late 70s and live in Camilla, Georgia, spend most of their time tending to their peanut farm and caring for their next-to-youngest son, Tim. Born with severe mental and physical disabilities, Tim, 42, requires constant care - including feeding and bathing. For more than four decades, the Rigsbys have structured their schedule around caring for him, even alternating attending church so that one parent is always available.

In their advancing years, the Rigsbys are finding it increasingly difficult to care for Tim. Randy suffers from increasing back problems, while Ruth has heart trouble and lung disease. And with a lack of government support, resources, and funding available to help, the Rigsbys have spent many sleepless nights worried about who will take over their parental duties after they can no longer care for their son.

For thousands of individuals around Georgia, the Grigsbys' dilemma hits home. Better health care, coupled with greater numbers of people reaching later life stages, is resulting in more adults with developmental disabilities surviving into old age. As the nation ages at a rapid rate - in just a few years, an estimated 20 percent of the U.S. population will be over the age of 65, according to the Census Bureau. Individuals with developmental disabilities and the people caring for them face a two-fold challenge: the disability itself, as well as the inherent concerns surrounding aging. The struggle lies not only with the caregivers, but also with the individuals with disabilities themselves as they move into later life stages.

But there is hope for this increasingly critical issue. Thanks to the efforts of organizations like AADD, individuals with developmental disabilities can continue contributing to their communities as they grow older, while aging caregivers can benefit from resources and support programs.

Education
AADD believes that aging people with developmental disabilities should be included and welcomed in their communities. In addition, services should be available to all older adults with or without disabilities. AADD's efforts to help aging individuals with developmental disabilities secure work, services and resources reflect that philosophy.

• AADD also believes that people living with developmental disabilities who are growing older should:
• be afforded the same rights, dignity, respect and opportunities as other older people in their community;
• receive supports to live, learn, work, play and retire where they prefer, based on their interests and values;
• be provided access to pension plans that include the same provisions for payments and other financial supports as afforded other older citizens who have worked and retire;
• be free from discrimination in housing, health care, aging services, transportation and other services available to older Americans;
• be assisted, with their families, in planning for the time when family members and friends are no longer able to provide support;
• have access to affordable housing that is barrier-free and enables them to continue to live wherever they may choose.

Further, AADD believes that caregivers should be given information about residential programs, financial plans, guardianship, and respite services. AADD is working to ensure that as the Older Americans Act and related legislation is periodically amended, the law should include distinct reference to eligibility and inclusion of older adults with developmental disabilities in all aging network services and activities. In addition, AADD is dedicated to helping direct federal and state supports for research into areas of aging among people with developmental disabilities.