Wednesday, 30 September 2015

Long lives

Image: Martha Perske
In addition to frequent questions about life expectancy for people with Down syndrome, we are asked from time to time whether a particular person with Down syndrome might be the oldest on record. It is always interesting to hear of another long life, such as this tribute to Gwendoline Heath, who died recently in the UK, aged 76:

Tributes to 'wonderful' Gwendoline
The York Press, 25th September 2015
The “wonderful woman” was described by carers as full of mischief and humour, and was very popular among family and friends until her death from pneumonia on September 16.

Her niece Janet Baker, the daughter of Gwendoline’s sister Murial, said: “She was the most loving, caring, aunt that anybody could wish for.

“Despite all of the things life threw at her she always had a lovely smile and a hug for everyone ...

As life expectancy increases (at the same time as birth incidence decreases), so does the imperative for policy development and planning to meet the needs of more older people with Down syndrome, for many years to come.

Some earlier articles about very old people with Down syndrome:

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