Housing Changes and Moves into Supportive Housing Among Adults with Disabilities

About one fifth of the adult population with disabilities living in the community moved during a 12-to 24-month period between 1994 and 1996. This article examines the extent to which the ability to perform activities of daily living (ADL) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) was associated with these moves. Data are from the 1994-1995 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), the 1994-1995 Supplement on Disability, and the Disability Followback Survey. Analyses controlled for gender, income, living alone, racelethnicity, health status, and selected mental conditions. Decreased IADL ability had little association with the likelihood of moving, whereas increased difficulty with the ADL tasks of bathing, dressing, eating, and toileting generally increased this likelihood. These effects were more evident among those age 65+ than among those ages 18 to 64, and more common among house than apartment residents. For older persons, increases in ADL difficulties were associated with moves into supportive housing.