How Home Health Care Helped My Mom

Living Options For Developmentally Disabled Adults: A Guide For Aging Parents

by Stanley Pierce

Raising a child with developmental delays can bring a lot of joy and a lot of worry, especially as they get older and enter the adult world. This is especially true once you are no longer able to care for them due to your own health and age. Fortunately, there are a range of supportive services that can help you in your home or allow your adult child to live in a home of their own. The following guide can help you understand the help that is available.

Living Arrangement Options

The first decision will be where to live. There are several options, depending on your child's disabilities and the funds available to support them.

  • Stay in the family home. If the house isn't too large and they are able to live by themselves, they can inherit the home and stay there afterward.
  • Sell the home and purchase a smaller home or condominium, which is easier to maintain. There are supportive services available to help those with developmental disabilities purchase or rent homes.
  • Move into a group home with others that have similar disabilities. These homes have a caregiver available at all times. It may be easier on your child if you take steps to get them into a good group home while you are still around to look out for their best interest.
  • Independent living with a caregiver. If your child is capable, living on their own with the help of a supportive services caregiver may be the best option. You can hire a live-in caregiver who is available at all times to assist your child. For those that can have more independence, you may only need a caregiver to come in and prepare meals, run errands, or help with hygiene on a daily or semi-weekly basis.

Scope of Services

There's no need to worry about what will happen to your child after you pass if you begin working with supportive services while you are still around to help. Using supportive services may be all that's necessary to give your child the gift of independent living. These services do more than simply check-in with your child. They can also:

  • Help your adult child find housing, both now and in the future as they themselves begin to age.

  • Aid your child in finding meaningful employment that matches their abilities, while also providing transportation to the job and help on the job, when necessary.

  • Choosing housemates for your child if they prefer to no longer live alone.

  • Assistance with personal finance, including making sure the bills are paid and that the bank account is balanced.

  • Daily living help, including cooking, cleaning, hygiene care, and health care.

  • Social planning, including scheduling fun days out for your child so they remain an active part of their community.

You know you won't be around forever to help your child, so take the steps now to ensure they can continue to live a happy, healthy, and productive life, even after you are gone. Contact a service like GENACTA Home Care to find out more.

 

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