Several weeks ago, a dear family friend of mine suffered a devastating stroke. For a few days, his family members didn’t know if he would survive this event. Thankfully, he did. Now, he is undergoing the slow recovery process in a nursing home. Since his stroke, his family has been amazing. They visit him daily at the nursing facility. They have even decorated his room in an effort to make him feel like he is at home. If your loved one has recently been admitted to a nursing home, don’t despair. You may be able to help your loved one adjust to this living situation better by being supportive. On this blog, you will discover the ways to make your loved one’s transition to a nursing home easier.
A Home Away from Home
What Are The Living Options For Your Disabled Adult Child?
Johnny Rodriguez
If your adult child has physical or developmental disabilities that prevent him or her from living independently, you may worry about his or her living arrangements after you become unable to provide care on a daily basis. Fortunately, there are several options that can provide continuity of care for disabled adults regardless of their level of functionality, and easing your adult child into one of these situations before you're forced to make a change due to declining health or personal circumstances is likely to make it a less traumatic situation. Read on to learn more about the various living options for your disabled adult child.
Group home
A group home can take several forms depending upon the capabilities of the residents. Those who are able to perform several activities of daily living (ADLs) like feeding, bathing, or dressing without assistance may manage well with just one or two shifts of caretakers over the course of a day, while those who need more frequent care or constant supervision may live in a group home staffed 24/7. Disabled adults who are relatively high-functioning may have the ability to go on day trips or run their own errands, while those who require more assistance with their ADLs may stick closer to home.
If your adult child is placed in a group home, he or she may have access to day passes that allow you to bring him or her back to your home for a long weekend or even go on vacation, helping you continue to maintain a tight-knit relationship even after you no longer share a roof or walls.
Assisted living facility
Another good option for disabled adults is an assisted living facility, preferably one that caters to adults with disabilities rather than only the elderly. Assisted living facilities can provide a larger and more accommodating environment than a group home, and may even have a swimming pool, gym, barber, or doctor's office on-site to ensure residents have access to any or all of the services they need or want.
An assisted living facility may be a better choice than a group home if your adult child is already battling some health difficulties that could necessitate a hospital stay or series of medical procedures in the future. Most assisted living facilities also have nursing or rehabilitation wings, allowing your child to receive the care he or she needs without "giving up" his or her spot -- whether this nursing care is short- or long-term, your child will receive it in familiar and comfortable surroundings.
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