'No going back' to institutional care for people with severe disability: reflections on practice through an interpretive study.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This paper evaluated quality of life for people with a disability with high health and high support needs following a move from a congregate care institution to community housing. The study explored residents' perceptions of the service, level of community involvement, lifestyle choices, and input into decision-making. METHOD: An exploratory interpretative study was conducted using semi structured interviews with nine community house residents, ten community house staff and five family members. RESULTS: Participants were clear they definitely would not go back to the institution, but the relocation experience was not without difficulties. These issues related to 'site', 'staff' & 'skills'. CONCLUSIONS: Direct support staff hold considerable power to increase or diminish residents' quality of life. A targeted programme addressing specific site, staff & skill issues would strengthen quality of life for these very dependent residents.