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 leaving a hospital for people with learning disabilities. The measure used to evaluate quality of life was Living in a Supervised Home: A Questionnaire on Quality of Life (Cragg and Harrison, 1986). The questionnaire was completed before and after the study group left the hospital. The analyses of the scale shows that there has been a considerable improvement in the quality of life of people who have moved from hospital to community-based homes. Specific data are presented from quality of life sub-scales relating to the use of community facilities and contact with other members of the community.