The RU RUA family impact survey

Ru Rua Escourt House was a large, dormitory style nursing home that provided “whole of life” support services for approximately 100 people with severe and multiple disabilities. Between 1984 and 1990 a task force, approved by the State Minister of Health, was established to act as a steering committee for the planning and implementation of a process of deinstitutionalisation which would assist the residents of Ru Rua in moving into small group homes (i.e., 3 to 4 residents per home) in their local communities. This study provides the results of a post-hoc analysis of the impact these deinstitutionalisation efforts have had on the families of the residents. The family respondents expressed relatively low resistance to the idea of their relatives moving to the community, and most were generally satisfied with their involvement in the planning process. Similarly, most of the respondents felt that the deinstitutionalisation project had been well planned and that they had received adequate notice and information regarding the move.