Individualized Apartment Accommodation for People With Intellectual Disability: Protocol for a Qualitative Study Examining the Well-Being and Support Outcomes Linking Housing and Health.

Phillippa Carnemolla

doi:10.2196/18248

Abstract

BackgroundUnderstanding the outcomes associated with both receiving and providing support to people with intellectual disability in specific settings can facilitate the alignment of health providers, community care providers, architects, and urban planners to strengthen levels of autonomy and community participation of people with intellectual disability living in the community. This study explores the impact of providing support (available 24 hours a day) for people with intellectual disability in a high-density apartment. It seeks the perspectives of people with intellectual disability who have moved into an apartment from a group home (where 4-6 people with disability live), their families, and support staff. It will enable comparison between two models of supported accommodation, group homes and individualized apartments, in a community setting.ObjectiveThe aims of this study are to explore the impact of an individualized apartment model of supported accommodation in a high-density setting on the well-being, autonomy, and participation of people with intellectual disability living and receiving support; the experience of providing care or support; and how this setting impacts the logistics of how quality support is provided.MethodsQualitative research methods were employed as the primary means of collecting and analyzing data. There are two main sources of data in this study: (1) semistructured interviews with participants in up to 3 waves (pre, post 1, and post 2) and (2) pre- and postoccupancy evaluation data on the design, layout, and location details of the built environments. Coded interview data will be paired with pre- and postoccupancy evaluations of the two accommodation settings.ResultsAs of May 2020, we have recruited 55 participants. There have been 96 interviews conducted in 2 waves with people who have moved into supported accommodation, families, and staff. Collected data are currently being analyzed. We expect the results of the trial to be published in a peer-reviewed journal in late 2020.ConclusionsThis paper sets out a study of an alternative housing and support model for people with intellectual disability. It will capture personal experiences of people with intellectual disability receiving support in an apartment compared to their experiences in a group home. It will also capture the experiences of support staff working in the new setting and reveal how this differs from a group home setting. The inclusion of pre (group home) and post (apartment integrated into a community setting) measures addresses evaluative and comparative questions around the nature and impacts of the small-scale apartment and support model for both those who live and receive support, and those who support them.International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)DERR1-10.2196/18248

Highlights

IntroductionBeyond the Group Home and Into an ApartmentThe introduction of consumer-led health and disability funding across the world (including the United States, the United Kingdom, parts of Europe, and Australia) has changed in how disability housing support is provided and brought with it the opportunity for individualized living plans and accommodation settings
Beyond the Group Home and Into an ApartmentThe introduction of consumer-led health and disability funding across the world has changed in how disability housing support is provided and brought with it the opportunity for individualized living plans and accommodation settings
Since deinstitutionalization, people with intellectual disability have tended to live in congregate care housing such as group homes, which, because of their spatial footprint and number of bedrooms, are likely to be located in suburban settings

Summary

Introduction

Beyond the Group Home and Into an ApartmentThe introduction of consumer-led health and disability funding across the world (including the United States, the United Kingdom, parts of Europe, and Australia) has changed in how disability housing support is provided and brought with it the opportunity for individualized living plans and accommodation settings. This study explores the impact of providing support (available 24 hours a day) for people with intellectual disability in a high-density apartment It seeks the perspectives of people with intellectual disability who have moved into an apartment from a group home (where 4-6 people with disability live), their families, and support staff. Objective: The aims of this study are to explore the impact of an individualized apartment model of supported accommodation in a high-density setting on the well-being, autonomy, and participation of people with intellectual disability living and receiving support; the experience of providing care or support; and how this setting impacts the logistics of how quality support is provided. Conclusions: This paper sets out a study of an alternative housing and support model for people with intellectual disability It will capture personal experiences of people with intellectual disability receiving support in an apartment compared to their experiences in a group home.

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