Outcomes of a new residential scheme for adults with intellectual disabilities in Taiwan: a 2-year follow-up

• Published in: Journal of intellectual disability research 2011-09, Vol.55 (9), p.823-831
• Main Authors: Chou, Y-C., Pu, C., Kröger, T., Lee, W., Chang, S.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adaptation, Psychological; Adaptive behaviour; Adult; Adults; Behavior Modification; Behavior Problems; Families & family life; Family Health; Family Relationship; Family relationships; Female; Financial Support; Follow-Up Studies; Followup Studies; Foreign Countries; Humans; Intellectual Disability; Intellectual Disability - psychology; Intellectual Disability - therapy; Interviews; Learning disabilities; Learning disabled people; Male; Mental Retardation; outcome; Outcome Assessment (Health Care); Program Evaluation; Quality Assurance; Quality Control; Quality of Life; Quality of service; Residential Facilities - organization & administration; Residential Facilities - standards; Residential Programs; small residential home; Social Behavior; Social Support Groups; Taiwan; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0964-2633; 1365-2788
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2788.2011.01394.x

Background  The Taiwanese government launched a new programme in November 2004 to support adults with intellectual disabilities living in smaller facilities. This paper aims to evaluate the service outcomes of this new residential scheme over 2 years including those residents who moved from an institution and those who moved from their family. Methods  A one‐group repeated‐measures analysis was conducted for five interviews after the adults with intellectual disabilities entered the new environment. Forty‐nine adults were initially studied (T1) and 29 adults remained in the homes until the end of the study (T5). Results  This study found significant improvements over the 2 years in the residents' quality of life and family contact. The results also highlight a decrease in maladaptive behaviour among the residents moving from institution and an increase in choice making and family contact among the residents moving from family. No significant changes in adaptive behaviour and community inclusion were found. Conclusion  Results revealed that further policy changes and financial support including service quality assurance are required in order to improve service outcomes for adults living in the new residential scheme.