Characteristics, supports, and quality of life of Irish adults with intellectual disability in life-sharing residential communities

Abstract

Background Few empirical studies have compared quality and outcomes for residents with intellectual disability across intentional communities such as those organised by the Camphill communities in Ireland.

Method Using a multi-element research protocol developed for an earlier large study, data were gathered about the characteristics of N = 29 participants living in life-sharing residences organised by Camphill, management procedures, and outcomes for residents. Comparable data were available for N = 125 adults in group homes or campus residences.

Results Camphill residents reported a smaller size of household, higher staffing ratios, homely living areas, low levels of institutionalised practices such as social distance, reciprocal relationships with houseparents, and well-developed management procedures, as well as less choice, but were not found to be better on a range of other objective measures.

Conclusion Although modest in scale, present findings suggest that the value of applying distinctive benefits of life-sharing communities in more typical residential settings for people with intellectual disability should be investigated further to inform current policy debates.

Keywords:

• residential
• supports
• life-sharing
• communities

Acknowledgements

The main study of group home and campus residents in Ireland was supported by the Irish Department of Health; later, the Department of Health and Children. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of the Department. The authors are very grateful to all participants for their cooperation.