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Activity diaries in small community homes for people with learning difficulties

thesis
posted on 2012-09-28, 11:32 authored by Lynda H. Webb
This thesis evaluates the effect of the use of Activity Diary check-lists, in small community homes, on the frequency of participation in activities of people with learning difficulties. A number of Health Authorities across the country are introducing activity check-lists into their services as a means of monitoring one aspect of quality of life of their service users. None of the services have evaluated the value and reliability of such recording systems. Two studies were undertaken to carry out such an evaluation. Study I introduced an Activity Diary, designed by the researcher, into two small community homes for people with learning difficulties. Baseline measures were taken prior to the introduction of the diaries and then continued through the duration of the intervention which involved the use of Activity Diaries by the homes with weekly graphical feedback produced by the researcher. The results of the study showed a slight but statistically insignificant increase in the frequency of panicipation in activities by the residents. A comparison study with the general public was undertaken during Study I. Almost identical Activity Diaries as those used in the homes were completed by members of the general public for one week. The diaries were compared to those of the residents in Study I. The people with learning difficulties were found to have participated in significantly fewer activities than the general public. Study IT built upon Study I and introduced Activity Diaries with additional interventions into a number of homes. The additional interventions were; staff recording their own activities, individualisation of the diaries to each homes needs, daily and weekly goal planning and weekly graphical feedback of both staff and residents activities. The results showed no change in the frequency of participation in activities of the residents over the six months duration of the study. Issues relating to the monitoring of residents activities using Activity Diary check-lists are discussed.

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  • Design

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© Lynda H. Webb

Publication date

1992

Notes

Closed access. If you are the author of this thesis and would like to make it available on open access please contact the library. A Doctoral Thesis. Submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of Doctor of Philosophy of Loughborough University.

Language

  • en

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