The kinds of activities include a variety of community experiences and opportunities such as volunteer work, sports and exercise, recreational events, membership in clubs and organizations, and other activities that allow participants to experience and enjoy adult recreation and leisure activities in the community. For people who require therapeutic services and support, specialized services and therapies are provided. Programs designed for persons with mental retardation who are age 55 or older include opportunities to participate in a variety of activities that older people typically enjoy and that offer interaction with members of the community. Some of these programs operate in or are affiliated with senior citizen centers and adult day care programs. These programs allow people to choose leisure retirement activities that interest them.
Families work with their case managers to determine the best day programs for their family member.
They identify existing programs or work to create new ones. The Department of Mental Retardation administers or contracts for residential services from independent living , supported living arrangements , community living arrangements , community training homes , and residential center settings . There is one large institution in Connecticut, but it is not open for admissions. The majority of people served by DMR live at home with their family. Some people with mental retardation need no staff support to manage a household on their own.