Independent living placement: five years later

Area of Science:

• Disability Studies
• Community Psychology
• Rehabilitation Science

Background:

• Independent housing is a crucial aspect of community integration for individuals with intellectual disabilities.
• Long-term outcomes and quality of life following such transitions require ongoing evaluation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the long-term (5-year) placement success of individuals with intellectual disabilities in independent housing.
• To identify predictors of successful and unsuccessful housing placements.
• To evaluate the quality of life experienced by these individuals post-placement.

Main Methods:

• Longitudinal evaluation of 69 individuals with intellectual disabilities placed in independent housing.
• Multiple regression analysis to determine significant predictor variables for placement success.
• Analysis of quality of life indicators including employment, finances, community, and social interactions.

Main Results:

• Eighty percent (n=55) of individuals remained in their original independent housing placement after five years.
• Significant predictors of success included personal maintenance, communication, community integration, and food preparation skills.
• Unsuccessful placements were associated with behavioral issues, nutritional deficits, and poor home maintenance.
• Quality of life presented a mixed profile: frequent community utilization and pride in independence contrasted with low income and potential loneliness.

Conclusions:

• Independent housing is a viable and sustainable option for a majority of individuals with intellectual disabilities.
• Targeted behavioral skill development is critical for successful long-term independent living.
• An extended assistance-training model may further enhance outcomes and quality of life.