Hostname: page-component-848d4c4894-ndmmz Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-04-30T16:33:49.365Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Differences in the quality of residential provision for mentally handicapped people

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 July 2009

Norma V. Raynes*
Affiliation:
Faculty of Economic and Social Studies, 1 University of Manchester, Manchester
Roger C. Sumpton
Affiliation:
Faculty of Economic and Social Studies, 1 University of Manchester, Manchester
*
*Address for correspondence: Dr N. V. Raynes, Faculty Economic and Social Studies, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL

Synopsis

This paper examines the quality of care in four types of residence for mentally handicapped adults in Britain. Data were gathered from 175 residents of 150 living units – mental handicap hospital wards, voluntary and private homes, local authority hostels and parental homes. Differences were apparent between the types of residence in terms of both residents' characteristics and care practices and routines. The findings indicate that some of the differences in care practices are not associated with differences in the residents' functioning. Additionally, alternatives to hospital care for mentally handicapped people are not providing demonstrably improved quality of care in several aspects of residential practice. A discussion of those aspects of care calling for more improvement is presented.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1987

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Conroy, J. W. & Bradley, V. J. (1985). The Pennhurst Longitudinal Study: A Report of Five Years of Research and Analysis. Temple University, Developmental Disabilities Center: Philadelphia.Google Scholar
Dalgeish, M. (1983). Assessments of residential environments for mentally retarded adults in Britain. Mental Retardation 21, 204208.Google Scholar
DHSS, (1971), Better Services for the Mentally Handicapped. HMSO: London.Google Scholar
DHSS, (1983). Homes and Hostels for the Mentally Ill and Mentally Handicapped at 31 March 1982. DHSS: London.Google Scholar
DHSS, (1985). Statistical Bulletin, Mental Handicap Hospitals and Units in England. Results from the Mental Health Enquiry 1984. HMSO: London.Google Scholar
DHSS, (1986). Homes and Hostels for the Mentally Ill and Mentally Handicapped at 31 March 1985. DHSS: London.Google Scholar
Felce, D., Thomas, M., De Kock, U., Saxby, H. & Repp, A. (1985). An ecological comparison of small community-based houses and traditional institutions: II Physical setting and the use of opportunities. Health Care Evaluation Research Team: University of Southampton.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Goffman, E. (1961). Asylums. Doubleday: New York.Google Scholar
Gollay, E., Freedman, R., Wyngaarden, M. & Kurtz, N. R. (1978). Coming Back. ABT Association: Cambridge, MA.Google Scholar
Hemming, H., Lavender, T. & Pill, R. (1981). Quality of life of Mentally Retarded Adults Transferred from Large Institutions to New Small Units. American Journal of Mental Deficiency 86, 157169.Google ScholarPubMed
King, R. D., Raynes, N. V. & Tizard, J. (1971). Patterns of Residential Care. Routledge & Kegan Paul: London.Google Scholar
Rawlings, S. (1985). Behaviour and skills of severely retarded adults in hospitals and small residential homes. British Journal of Psychiatry 146, 358366.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Raynes, N. V. & Sumpton, R. C. (1986). Follow-up Study of 448 People who are Mentally Handicapped: Final Report to the DHSS. Department of Social Administration: Manchester University.Google Scholar
Wolfensberger, W. (1972). The Principle of Normalisation in Human Services. NIMR: Toronto.Google Scholar