In terms of a description of the facilities, residential homes were generally privately owned (two thirds of the cases) in Spain and managed by voluntary organisations (41% of the cases) in England.
The average living space per person was 17 m2 in Spain and 26 m2 in England.
The mean staff-per-resident ratio was 0.2 (range: 0 - 0.9) in Spain and 1.1 (range: 0.6 - 2.1) in England.
The EI-restrictiveness score (maximum value 55; low scores reflect a relatively non-restrictive environment) was 19.5 (+/- 11.9) in Spain and 6.2 (+/- 5.6) in England. The difference in the mean values was 13.3 (95% confidence interval, CI: 6.7 - 19.8, p<0.001).
The EI-amenities score (maximum value 28; low scores reflect relatively, readily-accessible amenities available locally) was 4.7 (+/- 1.1) in Spain and 11.2 (+/- 5.7) in England. The difference in the mean values was -6.5 (95% CI: -9.8 - -3.2, p<0.001).
In terms of the patient attitude questionnaire, 63% of the patients in the Spanish group wanted to leave the hospital, compared with 65% in the English group, (non significant);
78% of the Spanish patients and 65% of the English patients liked the house better than the hospital, (non significant);
life was different from hospital for 71% of the Spanish patients and 83% of the English patients, (non significant);
40% of the Spanish patients and 48% of the English patients liked to live there permanently, (non significant);
54% of the Spanish patients and 24% of the English patients noticed a change for the better, (p<0.01);
36% of the Spanish patients and 12% of the English patients liked the company, (p<0.01);
49% of the Spanish patients and 29% of the English patients liked the regime, (p<0.05);
medication was helpful for 82% of the Spanish patients and 63% of the English patients, (non significant);
organised indoor activities were helpful for 88% of the Spanish patients and 32% of the English patients, (p<0.01); and
outside activities were helpful for 64% of the Spanish patients and 26% of the English patients, (p<0.05).