Abstract
Aim: Group homes have been the dominant model of service. The National Disability Insurance Scheme holds the promise of greater choice about where and how to live through ‘supported living’ which separates housing and support. This study explored quality of life outcomes for a matched sample of people living in group homes or supported living arrangements.
Method: Thirty-four people with intellectual disabilities in supported living and seven staff from organisations delivering support participated: 28 people and their support staff in face-to-face surveys and six in more in-depth case studies. Twenty-nine were matched with a sample of group homes residents from an earlier study.
Results: People felt moving from their family or a group home into supported living gave them greater independence and control. Objectively their quality of life was mediocre and similar to people living in group homes. Being younger, strong family support and participation in regular structured activities were associated with better outcomes.
Conclusions: The data provides insights into the perceived advantages of supported living, the potential for it to work well and some of the challenges.
Method: Thirty-four people with intellectual disabilities in supported living and seven staff from organisations delivering support participated: 28 people and their support staff in face-to-face surveys and six in more in-depth case studies. Twenty-nine were matched with a sample of group homes residents from an earlier study.
Results: People felt moving from their family or a group home into supported living gave them greater independence and control. Objectively their quality of life was mediocre and similar to people living in group homes. Being younger, strong family support and participation in regular structured activities were associated with better outcomes.
Conclusions: The data provides insights into the perceived advantages of supported living, the potential for it to work well and some of the challenges.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 638 |
| Number of pages | 1 |
| Journal | Journal of Intellectual Disability Research |
| Volume | 60 |
| Issue number | 7-8 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Jul 2016 |
| Externally published | Yes |
| Event | International Association for the Scientific Study of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IASSIDD) World Congress 2016: Global Partnerships: Enhancing Research, Policy and Practice - Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, Melbourne, Australia Duration: 14 Aug 2016 → 19 Aug 2016 Conference number: 15th https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/toc/13652788/2016/60/7-8 |