Experience of place for young adults under 65 years with complex disabilities moving into purpose-built residential care
Author(s)
Muenchberger, Heidi
Ehrlich, Carolyn
Kendall, Elizabeth
Vit, Marina
Griffith University Author(s)
Year published
2012
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
The aim of this research was to examine first-person accounts of the significance of place for young adults (aged between 18 and 65 years of age) with complex disabilities moving into purpose-built residential care accommodation. Interviews with residents, family members and staff working at the accommodation site considered the impact of the physical, care and social environment on the experience of place. Five elements of experience were identified, including (a) freedom and self-expression, (b) designed for disability (c) flexible and responsive care environment, (d) establishing relationships and (e) defining spaces. ...
View more >The aim of this research was to examine first-person accounts of the significance of place for young adults (aged between 18 and 65 years of age) with complex disabilities moving into purpose-built residential care accommodation. Interviews with residents, family members and staff working at the accommodation site considered the impact of the physical, care and social environment on the experience of place. Five elements of experience were identified, including (a) freedom and self-expression, (b) designed for disability (c) flexible and responsive care environment, (d) establishing relationships and (e) defining spaces. Findings confirmed the need for a 'value added approach' to housing and support for young adults with complex disability. A value added approach extends the importance of place beyond the physical context for people with complex conditions and incorporates essential symbolic and relational concepts of value - being of value (for family members), having value (for residents) and giving value (for staff). The framework of the therapeutic landscape is applied within the context of supported residential care and the factors that promote a healing environment are examined.
View less >
View more >The aim of this research was to examine first-person accounts of the significance of place for young adults (aged between 18 and 65 years of age) with complex disabilities moving into purpose-built residential care accommodation. Interviews with residents, family members and staff working at the accommodation site considered the impact of the physical, care and social environment on the experience of place. Five elements of experience were identified, including (a) freedom and self-expression, (b) designed for disability (c) flexible and responsive care environment, (d) establishing relationships and (e) defining spaces. Findings confirmed the need for a 'value added approach' to housing and support for young adults with complex disability. A value added approach extends the importance of place beyond the physical context for people with complex conditions and incorporates essential symbolic and relational concepts of value - being of value (for family members), having value (for residents) and giving value (for staff). The framework of the therapeutic landscape is applied within the context of supported residential care and the factors that promote a healing environment are examined.
View less >
Journal Title
Social Science & Medicine
Volume
75
Issue
12
Subject
Biomedical and clinical sciences
Economics
Human society