A model to serve rural (Kentucky) mentally retarded adults age 50 and over incorporates generic community resources such as residential, nutritional, medical, recreational, and transportation services with age appropriate activities and programs. The system is intended to provide an alternative to the life-long work setting of the workshop or work activity center and to the residential setting of nursing homes and personal care homes. Currently the program serves 20 people in weekly individualized service coordination. The program director's role has evolved to advocacy, social planning, and managing. The second phase of the project will focus on developing residential options. A new project in Lexington is in the planning stages and four other regional boards are exploring the idea and feasibility of starting age appropriate services for the older person with mental retardation. (CL)