ABSTRACT
Caregivers' satisfaction with and perceptions of the services received by their adult family member with mental retardation were examined. Most caregivers were satisfied with the services, regardless of the type of services received. Access variables, including the assistance provided in acquiring services, were better predictors of satisfaction than were aspects of the services. Demographic variables did not predict ratings of accessibility or satisfaction.
Subject(s)
Consumer Behavior , Health Services Accessibility , Intellectual Disability/rehabilitation , Adult , Caregivers/psychology , Cost of Illness , Female , Humans , Intellectual Disability/psychology , Male , Maryland , Public AssistanceABSTRACT
Service needs of families caring for 571 individuals with mental retardation (ages 20 to 24) during the transition into adulthood was described, with an emphasis on the urgency of requests for community state-supported living services. Results of a multiple regression analysis suggested that requests for community living were related more to family stressors than to characteristics of the young adult or participation in regular daytime activities. Most families also requested daytime services and at least one type of social support. The services most requested were those representing normalizing activities, and the major reasons for seeking them involved promoting the young adults' independence.
Subject(s)
Community Mental Health Services/trends , Education of Intellectually Disabled/trends , Halfway Houses/trends , Health Services Needs and Demand/trends , Health Services Research/trends , Home Nursing/trends , Intellectual Disability/rehabilitation , Adult , Day Care, Medical/trends , Female , Humans , Male , Social Adjustment , Social Environment , Stress, Psychological/complicationsABSTRACT
A demographic description of the individual and family characteristics of mentally retarded persons referred for placement at a state residential facility in 1982 was presented. Three outcome dispositions (continued home placement, institutional placement, and community residential placement) were considered. Findings suggest that measurements of risk of institutionalization must be expanded beyond personal characteristics of retarded individuals to include stress factors within the family.
