Caring for people with intellectual disability: The need for residential care

When the needs of a person with intellectual disability exceed the resources available to the family, including home support services, residential care may be necessary. The objective of this study was to identify factors other than the degree of disability (ID) that precipitated the need for such care. An observational survey with a case control study design was carried out by means of a structured interviewer administered questionnaire. Fifty children and adults with ID from the region who mere admitted to residential care in the South Eastern Health Board area between 1988-1993 formed the cases, while 50 with LD living at home in the region between 1988-1993 formed the study population for the controls. Residential care was significantly more likely for those with behavioural or physical dependency problems. Admission was precipitated by increasingly difficult behaviour in 32% of cases, and increasing age and infirmity of the parents in 26%. A significant degree of social gain for the families was found following admission of the child to care. Approximately 70% of parents found that the special school or local workshop was the most useful day facility, Higher dependency needs and difficult behaviour are indicators of priority need for residential care.