CHANGES IN THE QUALITY-OF-LIFE OF PEOPLE WITH LEARNING-DISABILITIES WHO MOVED FROM HOSPITAL TO LIVE IN COMMUNITY-BASED HOMES

This paper describes a longitudinal study of the change in quality of life experienced by 36 residents of community-based homes after leavin g a hospital for people with learning disabilities. The measure used t o evaluate quality of life was Living in a Supervised Home: A question naire on quality of Life (Cra,og and Harrison, 1986). The questionnair e was completed before and after the study group left the hospital. Th e analyses of the scale shows that there has been a considerable impro vement in the quality of life of people who have moved from hospital t o community-based homes. Specific data are presented from quality of l ife sub-scales relating to the use of community facilities and contact with other members of the community.