| Making the decision to care for a disabled adult is | | | | plate, so realistically, where do YOU want to go |
| a life altering resolution to an already difficult | | | | from here. More is better when it comes to |
| situation. Weather a sibling or non-family member, | | | | independence but always keep in mind each |
| the decision to become a caregiver for a disabled | | | | person's limitations. For this article, I'm assuming |
| adult means change. Once, a mother of a disabled | | | | there is a degree of independence possible. Self |
| child once said it was like learning to live in Holland. | | | | care and communicative skills are required to |
| In a lot of ways, her comparison was valid. As | | | | move beyond custodial care and into the world of |
| the parent of a disabled child you learn a new | | | | community integration. All things considered, you |
| language and how to live in a completely new | | | | must be the judge of the disabled person's ability |
| environment with a new focus in life. Every choice | | | | to learn job skills and integrate socially. Training |
| made reflects "what's best for my child". | | | | time is not important. Weather it takes a week or |
| When you make the decision to accept | | | | a month, learning a skill is the key. Rule of thumb, |
| responsibility for a disabled adult, it mirrors many | | | | if a disabled person can keep the house, his room |
| of the same issues. The only trouble is, the | | | | and bathroom clean, than he can be a dining room |
| inroads made over a lifetime of care giving by | | | | attendant at a fast food restaurant. If the |
| parents are not automatically transferred to the | | | | disabled person conducts themselves appropriately |
| new care giver. State, county, and local contacts | | | | in social settings, they're ready for community |
| for assistance programs are seldom passed along. | | | | integration. |
| Dealing with waiver and support programs can be | | | | Find a program. Make calls. Don't stop reaching |
| confusing and at times, a gauntlet most people | | | | out. The Internet is the best possible search tool. |
| find impossible to manage. That said, if a | | | | Don't stop until you find a program that fits your |
| caregiver you must be, then first face some | | | | disabled adult's needs. |
| facts. You're moving to Holland and your life is | | | | Persistence is important. Sign up for every |
| changing. | | | | qualifying program, don't stop calling until it's active |
| My experience is in Texas and that said, I will | | | | and finally and foremost keep good records. Use |
| refer to state specific issues. Each state will have | | | | an expanding file folder, make a file folder for |
| similar initiatives; some will provide better | | | | each program, save correspondence, make copies |
| programs, while other states will offer little in | | | | of letters and forms you send out and keep |
| supported services. First do an Internet search of | | | | notes on every verbal and telephone |
| state services. | | | | conversation. |
| Use your state as the source and search for | | | | It's hard to imagine administrators of programs |
| disability services. In the search engine text option | | | | could possibly be selective in application of policies |
| use words; "Your county" Your State" Disability, | | | | but it happens all the time. If a program has a |
| Rehabilitation, Services. Then Search. If disabled, | | | | waiting list, ask the number on the list. Call back |
| most adults qualify for Social Security Income | | | | every few months and make someone provide a |
| (SSI). It's not much assistance financially, but with | | | | status. Get names. Be able to tell the next person |
| it the disabled adult qualifies for Medicaid. That | | | | the history on a subject including dates and who |
| covers some financial assistance and medical | | | | you spoke with. |
| insurance. That's basics but we all know, that's not | | | | Last but definitely not least. Join a support group. |
| the ultimate goal. | | | | Association of Retarded Citizens (ARC) is a |
| This is the time to get real investigative. As you | | | | national organization. The ARC has social events |
| well know, individuals with a disability have varying | | | | for the disabled, caregiver training and state |
| developmental levels. You've stepped up to the | | | | government inter-action and advocacy programs. |