The paper describes a state survey to identify mentally retarded adults most in need of services to diminish the risk of institutionalization. The surveys examined nine areas, including medical condition and needs, self-care skills, adaptive and independence skills, maladaptive behaviors, and stresses and demands on the caregiver. Among results were that 70% of the adults were under age 30, more than 75% were women, 33% of all caregivers were over the age of 60 with almost half the families reporting a variety of problematic situations. Additional findings revealed that almost 30% of the adults were in the severe or profound range of mental retardation; that the adults varied from extreme dependence in self-care to high levels of competence; and that maladaptive behavior was not an overwhelming problem. Demographic varibles associated with families expressing urgency for residential placement included reports of more stressful personal situations including financial problems, responsibilities for child care or care of an elderly family member, serious health problems, and personal problems. (CL)