Types of mental retardation facilities?

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There are three basic types of mental retardation facilities offered for the care and well-being of people with mental retardation: the group home, the nursing home and the work facility. These mental retardation facilities are also available in different levels of care, from intermediate to severely dysfunctional. While the group home-type structure focuses on enablement, the nursing home structure focuses on those who may not be functional in society. The employment structure is often tasked with assisting clients in developing work skills and finding employment.

Programs designed to benefit the mentally retarded are generally offered in two distinct types of mental retardation facilities. Group homes for the mentally retarded provide a place where small groups of mentally retarded clients can come together and explore the many facets of enabling in society. Group leaders, counselors and other trained staff work closely with volunteers and clients at mental retardation facilities to discover the best ways to integrate with family and friends while at home. Self-care, hygiene and other life skills are explored, and some higher learning exercises, such as reading, writing and telephone skills, are also developed in these types of mental retardation settings. These programs are often offered at various levels to coincide with clients’ abilities.

Nursing home types of mental retardation facilities are designed to serve more severely mentally retarded clients. Some of the older clients with a physical disability and anyone not deemed appropriate for a group type setting are commonly placed in these types of facilities. Unique challenges often arise in treating this type of client when meeting the day-to-day demands of a live-in program. Medical issues also come into play in this type of facility as both physical and mental health are addressed, often with the aim of returning a client to their family, a detached home or living facility or group home.

Other types of mental retardation facilities are designed to teach clients job skills and job trades. Providing a meaningful way for a client to spend their time while also earning a salary is often the goal of this type of facility. Some communities combine this type of facility with a local thrift store or assembly plant. Customers in these settings can learn how to stock shelves, interact with customers, and perform other work-related tasks.

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