When a loved one, particularly a child, is diagnosed with an intellectual and/or developmental disability (I/DD), family caregivers are often consumed with the here and now. There are so many details to take care of on a daily basis that there’s little if any time or energy for future planning.
Not only that, but there’s a natural tendency to procrastinate when it comes to making long-term plans for care, as we never want to think about a day when we aren’t there to care for a loved one.
Yet it’s vitally important to hit the pause button and devote some thought to what your wishes are regarding the future care of a family member with special needs. It means facing and addressing these common fears about special needs care:
- Lower quality care (or no one available to provide care)
- Isolation
- Institutionalization
- A decline in health
- Neglect or abuse
If any of these fears have ever crossed your mind when contemplating the future care for your loved one, it’s all the more reason to take action now to put a plan in place. Here are some steps to help you get started.
- Research. Begin with an online search for resources to help with long-term special needs care planning. There’s no need to reinvent the wheel when countless other families have and are facing the same circumstances.
- Collaborate. Bring other family members and close friends together to discuss what roles they may be willing to play if you should become unable to provide care. It will bring you peace of mind to have as much support as possible from those you trust and who are already close to the person with I/DD.
- Fund. Financial planning is, of course, a key component to long-term care planning. A couple of options to investigate include special needs trusts and the ABLE National Resource Center. Talk with your financial planner for help with ensuring future care needs for your family member will be met.
What About Group Homes?
Unlike facilities such as nursing homes, residential group homes, like those provided by Abrio Living, are a great option to explore when making long-term plans for care for a loved one with a disability.
Our homes are just that: homes. Each resident becomes part of a nuclear family of staff and a few other residents, who help each other, encourage each other, and celebrate successes, milestones, and achievements together.
Abrio Living’s small, family-like group homes provide 24/7 care and support by trained experts in special needs care. We help individuals set, achieve, and celebrate goals, develop crucial life skills, enhance socialization, and much more.
As you consider future plans for someone with special needs, we’d love to offer you a tour of our homes in Phoenix, Glendale, and Peoria. Contact us at 623-289-2927 to schedule your visit and to learn more about the benefits of a small group home for Arizonans with intellectual or developmental disabilities.