Some Costs of Caring at Home for an Intellectually Handicapped Child

The household expenditure patterns of families in the general population were compared with those of families caring for an intellectually handicapped child. The results indicated that handicapped child families spent on average SNZ17 per week more on household items such as food, electricity and household supplies. Expenditures specificially related to care of the handicapped child were also examined. These included such items as incontinence supplies, special toys or equipment, health care and so on. On average, families spent approximately SNZ7 a week on these items. The findings are discussed in terms of their implications for heakh and social welfare policy.