Activities of people with a mental handicap living in the community in County Durham

Abstract

The aim of the study reported in this thesis was to obtain information on a group of people with a mental handicap living in the community. The study included 86 cases living in a variety of homes. The main distinction was between staffed and unstaffed homes, with 24 people living in staffed homes and 62 people living in unstaffed homes. Data were obtained on their general characteristics, on their occupational activities and on their leisure activities outside the home. The first chapter is a review of the relevant literature. The second chapter reports the methodology. Data were obtained in an interview with a main carer, or when the case lived alone, with him/herself. A questionnaire was designed for use during the interview and was partly based on the Wessex Schedule (Kushlick, Blunden and Cox, 1973). The third chapter provides the results of the study. The overall picture of the characteristics of the sample showed that only a minority had additional physical handicaps and only a minority required full assistance in all their personal needs. The results on the occupational activities was less positive. Only 6 cases were in paid employment; 50 cases attended an ATC. The cases from staffed homes were more likely to attend an occupational activity than those living in unstaffed homes. The results on the leisure activities revealed that although some led fairly active lives others did not. Few cases had friends for companions. The fourth chapter discusses the results in relation to previous research and suggests areas for further research. The implications of the study are also considered.