A national survey of 298 group homes and 138 foster homes serving adults with severe mental retardation was conducted in order to identify activities engaged in and skill competencies needed by adults living in these community residences. Residential staff were asked to rate 78 functional activities or skills in 8 categories; 31 of the activities were rated on a “frequency” scale and 47 skills were rated on a “need” scale. Foster home and group home staff gave similar ratings in five of the six “need” categories; however, group home staff indicated a greater need for outside work or day activity programs for their residents than did foster home staff. Furthermore, group home staff reported significantly higher frequency ratings for leisure activities than was reported in foster homes.
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