A consumer satisfaction survey of people with mental retardation and mental illness

This study investigated consumer satisfaction among 98 members of the Thomas S. class action lawsuit in North Carolina, in which the court ordered implementation of habilitative and residential service plans. Class members have mental retardation, and most also have a mental illness. Before the court order, 83 of the consumers were inappropriately placed in state psychiatric hospitals; one year after, 82 were living in community residences. A survey at baseline and one year later indicated that consumers' satisfaction had increased significantly. They were more satisfied with where they lived, the food, and the level of freedom. They also felt that staff were more helpful, and that more staff were "nice" rather than "mean."