The practice of a day-care welfare facility for profoundly handicapped persons

In Japan, many profoundly handicapped persons and their families are demanding day-care welfare facilities to ensure continued community life. Thus, 'Houmon-no-ie' was organized in 1986 to fulfil these needs. Forty-nine persons are enrolled at this facility; 67% suffer from cerebral palsy, and 43% exhibit very serious physical and mental disability (impossible to sit and IQ below 25). They show many medical problems such as poor general condition, respiratory disorder, etc. We report the purpose of this facility and the effects of day-care programmes.