TY - JOUR

T1 - Supported Accommodation for People With Intellectual Disabilities and Quality of Life

T2 - An Overview

AU - Walsh, P N W

AU - Emerson, Eric

AU - Lobb, Carolyne

AU - Hatton, Chris

AU - Bradley, V.

AU - Schalock, R. L.

AU - Moseley, C.

PY - 2010/6

Y1 - 2010/6

N2 - This article presents the findings of a review of evidence related to quality of life in models of supported accommodation for adults with intellectual disabilities identified in English-speaking nation deinstitutionalization and postdeinstitutionalization studies. An international literature-based investigation of research published between 1995 and 2005 in English-language peer-reviewed academic journals was conducted to: (1) review the outcome of deinstitutionalization and postinstitutionalization studies; (2) examine instruments used to measure outcomes for individuals; and (3) compare costs and benefits associated with different models of supported accommodation. In the deinstitutionalization studies, there was consistent evidence of greater choice and self-determination, participation in social networks or relationships and community-based activities, and personal satisfaction in community-based settings. Postdeinstitutionalization studies provided consistent evidence for greater choice, self-determination, and participation in community-based activities in smaller settings, but no evidence for greater physical health or material well-being, and little evidence for a relationship between type of setting and employment. Future research is needed to meet methodological challenges identified here, to investigate the apparent failure of smaller residences to improve residents’ well-being and to study systematically factors not directly addressed in the studies under review: poverty and income, organizational culture, and geographical variation.

AB - This article presents the findings of a review of evidence related to quality of life in models of supported accommodation for adults with intellectual disabilities identified in English-speaking nation deinstitutionalization and postdeinstitutionalization studies. An international literature-based investigation of research published between 1995 and 2005 in English-language peer-reviewed academic journals was conducted to: (1) review the outcome of deinstitutionalization and postinstitutionalization studies; (2) examine instruments used to measure outcomes for individuals; and (3) compare costs and benefits associated with different models of supported accommodation. In the deinstitutionalization studies, there was consistent evidence of greater choice and self-determination, participation in social networks or relationships and community-based activities, and personal satisfaction in community-based settings. Postdeinstitutionalization studies provided consistent evidence for greater choice, self-determination, and participation in community-based activities in smaller settings, but no evidence for greater physical health or material well-being, and little evidence for a relationship between type of setting and employment. Future research is needed to meet methodological challenges identified here, to investigate the apparent failure of smaller residences to improve residents’ well-being and to study systematically factors not directly addressed in the studies under review: poverty and income, organizational culture, and geographical variation.

KW - intellectual disabilities;quality of life;quality of life framework;supported accommodation

U2 - 10.1111/j.1741-1130.2010.00256.x

DO - 10.1111/j.1741-1130.2010.00256.x

M3 - Journal article

VL - 7

SP - 137

EP - 142

JO - Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities

JF - Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities

SN - 1741-1122

IS - 2

ER -