Cognitive, functional and psychological aging in adults with and without intellectual disability and its evolution over time with a multicomponent program: Prospective longitudinal study

The global increase in life expectancy has led to a growing population of older adults, including individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID) and Down syndrome (DS), who face unique aging-related challenges such as early-onset dementia and cognitive decline. Effective interventions tailored to their needs remain scarce. This prospective longitudinal study examined changes over time in cognitive, functional, and psychological outcomes during the implementation of a multicomponent, person-centered programme in 247 older adults, including 146 without intellectual disability and 101 with intellectual disability, including individuals with Down syndrome. Assessments were conducted at baseline, one-year follow-up, and two-year follow-up. Changes over time were analyzed using the Friedman test and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests. Participants without ID showed improvements in cognitive and psychological domains but experienced a decline in praxis, understood as the ability to perform learned, purposeful movements involved in daily activities. Those with ID demonstrated gains in selected cognitive and functional abilities, although declines were noted in language, calculation, and Tinetti balance scores. Overall, findings suggest that the programme may contribute to maintaining or enhancing multiple domains of functioning in both groups over time. These findings support the value of structured, person-centered, and multicomponent programmes in promoting healthy aging and supporting functional maintenance among older adults, regardless of intellectual functioning level.