If someone you love has an intellectual or developmental disability (IDD), you’re in good company. As many as 16 million people in the U.S. are diagnosed with a qualifying disability such as Down Syndrome, cerebral palsy, autism, or another form of IDD. Thankfully, our approach to caring for those with an IDD has evolved significantly. Residential group homes provide necessary care and support in a small, residential environment. This is often a much more comfortable and nurturing setting than institutional care, but there are some important factors to consider in choosing the right group home.
March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, and the perfect time to explore whether a group home might be a good option to consider for someone you love.
What Does a Group Home Offer to Someone With a Disability?
A group home is intended to feel like family. It provides a low resident-to-staff ratio and a shared living space with several other individuals with some form of IDD. Residents are given the opportunity to grow to their fullest potential and to live as independently as possible. Support and assistance are provided as needed with preparing meals, personal care, housekeeping, and engaging in enjoyable, meaningful activities, including employment for those who choose an occupation.
How Do I Find a Group Home?
Talk with the person’s healthcare provider for a group home referral. When you receive a list of group homes, you will then need to decide which is best for your family member’s needs, priorities, goals, and challenges. Choosing the right group home is extremely important, as it is often a decision that will last for a lifetime. This means you’ll need to do your homework to make sure the home you select is truly the best.
There are some preliminary questions to ask when visiting a group home to evaluate if the provider may be the right fit:
- Is the home clean and well-maintained?
- Are the residents clean, well-groomed, happy?
- Can you see a resident’s room?
- What types of activities are facilitated or encouraged?
- What does the menu plan look like?
- Do the staff seem interactive and engaged with the residents?
- Are residents engaged in tasks?
- What type of training is provided to staff?
- Are staff members all fully background-checked and screened?
- How are health concerns handled?
- How are behavior concerns handled?
- Are medical professionals available around-the-clock?
- How are medications managed and what are the standards for administration?
- Do residents have access to funds if they wish to purchase items for their living space?
Note that it’s important to visit the team at a residential group home multiple times before making a decision.
Why Families Choose Abrio Living Group Homes
At Abrio Living, we know firsthand how it feels to search for group home care for a loved one. Many of us have family members with an IDD, and we treat each resident we serve as a member of our extended family. All of our group homes:
- Are tastefully decorated, accessible, and comfortable
- Are single-family homes in residential neighborhoods
- Include three to four private bedrooms and two to three bathrooms
- Are staffed by highly trained and skilled care professionals
We help those with an IDD live life to the fullest by:
- Empowering them to set and reach goals
- Providing 24-hour care and support
- Fostering a family-like atmosphere
- Keeping track of medical appointments, progress notes, and habilitation goals
- Doing everything in our power to ensure safety, happiness, and well-being
- Encouraging residents to maintain relationships with family members
- And much more
Don’t just take our word for it though! See what other families like yours have to say about their loved ones’ experiences in our group homes. Then contact us to see for yourself! We would love to provide you with a tour of any of our residential group homes in Phoenix, Glendale, and Peoria at your convenience. Call us any time at 623-289-2927 to learn more.