Medical Conditions and Healthcare Utilization among Adults with Intellectual Disabilities Living in Group Homes in New York City

Abstract

Abstract The shift in living situations for adults with intellectual and other developmental disabilities (ID/DD) from family homes to group homes has raised questions about their healthcare needs and access to appropriate healthcare services. This study was undertaken to describe the disability characteristics and medical conditions in a sample of adults living in group homes in order to better understand the relationship of these variables with patterns of healthcare utilization. We examined the demographic and disability characteristics, medical conditions, and healthcare utilization of a group of individuals with ID/DD, living in 2‐ to 14‐bed group homes operated by a large provider, who were accessing their healthcare services from a single medical practice. The data showed that this sample represented a diverse and complex group in terms of functioning, behavioral and medical conditions, presentation of high rates of challenging behaviors, rate of obesity/overweight, and utilization of health care and psychiatric services. The authors concluded that there needs to be a reexamination of the healthcare needs of individuals living in community settings, particularly with regard to the integration of healthcare and psychiatric services.