Moving from aged care facilities to community-based accommodation: Outcomes and environmental factors

Abstract

People with very severe ABI have the potential to increase their level of independence in community-based accommodation settings; a potential that is not fostered in most aged care environments. The findings inform the outcome variables and environmental factors that should be measured in studies of transition from aged care to the community.

Disability and social inclusion ‘Down Under’: A systematic literature review

“…According to Van Asselt et al (2015, p38), in addition to reducing social isolation, the "opportunity to occupy valued roles is also critical for adults with intellectual disability to experience positive identities and become known and accepted as valued citizens in their community". The literature in this review reported on people with disability (and mostly people with intellectual disabilities) engaging in a variety of valued roles, including employment (Welsby & Horsfall, 2011;Wiesel & Bigby, 2016), volunteering (Chenoweth & Stehlik, 2004;Craig & Bigby, 2015;Van Asselt et al, 2015;Wiesel & Bigby, 2016;Winkler, Farnworth, Sloan, & Brown, 2011) and as consumers (Van Asselt et al, 2015;Welsby & Horsfall, 2011;Winkler et al, 2011).…”

“…Wiesel and Bigby (2016) argue that volunteering allows people from many different parts of society to participate in tasks with a shared purpose, which can increase the opportunity for social interactions between people with and without disability (Wiesel & Bigby, 2016). In another study, a young woman with a severe acquired brain injury (ABI) who had previously lived in Residential Aged Care, volunteered at her local primary school and reportedly gained high-level inclusion in her community (Winkler et al, 2011). Within the literature, even among those volunteers with disability who did not achieve such high levels of inclusion, volunteers expressed a sense of satisfaction and enjoyment gained from the experience.…”

The choice agenda in the Australian supported housing context: a timely reflection

“…As Winkler, Farnworth, Sloan, and Brown (2011) 9 Running Head: THE CHOICE AGENDA IN AUSTRALIAN SUPPORTED HOUSING suggest, being physically located within a community does not necessarily result in community participation: 'Assisting people with high care and complex needs to be included in the mainstream of society is a challenging area of work that requires tenacity because relationships are not always spontaneously formed ' (p. 161). This situation suggests considerations for suitable, long-term housing options must extend beyond the dwelling itself, and consider residents' location and neighbourhood context.…”

“…Further, there is little evidence currently available to support their use. This is due to much of the existing literature: (a) focussing on traditional group home models or cluster settings at the expense of other design alternatives; and (b) failing to provide 'strong' evidence regarding the impact different housing models have on resident outcomes (Callaway et al 2013;Winkler, Farnworth, Sloan, and Brown 2011). This lack of information has, in part, supported (by not challenging) the 'one-size-fits-most' near-monopoly market currently occurring in parts of Australia.…”

Developing design guidelines for inclusive housing: a multi-stakeholder approach using a Delphi method

“…Four main areas of the housing design in this study represented more than half of the total design features, namely, private units of residents, private bathrooms, outdoor/natural areas and location/site. The relative importance of these areas over other spaces within the home can be similarly identified in other housing research (Muenchberger et al 2012;Winkler et al 2011;Winkler et al 2012), indicating these areas dictate the overall intent and design of the entire building.…”