Often this model "happens" rather than being chosen and planned. However, intentionally choosing the Family Home Model and putting forth the same amount of planning and work as any other model can make it a highly desirable option.
Read MoreIndependent Apartment Communities are a new(ish) housing model for adults with disabilities. IACs are similar to the traditional apartment model in the freedom of choice that comes with living and maintaining one's apartment with or without roommates. The difference, as the name indicates, is the community piece.
Read MoreThis week we pause and reflect. Kim shares 5 housing model a-ha's.
- Utilize a variety of models rather than just one
- Organizations providing housing need to have business savvy
- The state you live in makes a BIG difference
- Our adult children might do better with another caregiver
- Money matters
Integrated Life Choices is a premier example of successfully executing the host home model for adults with special needs. One of Shanda McClaren's many roles with the company is to pair adults utilizing this model with a host home. In this episode, Shanda shares with us who is best suited for this model, what guardians do and do not give up when utilizing this housing model, how long placement takes, and how to proceed should this be your housing model of choice.
Read MoreGroup Homes, also referred to as Community Care Facilities, are residential homes within the community housing a number of unrelated individuals who require support.
LOMAH speaks with Dana Hooper, executive director of Life Services Alternative (LSA) in episode #15 & #16. LSA has 11 (soon to be 12) group homes in the Silicon Valley area of California and is considered to be one of the best examples in the country of the group home concept.
Read MoreWe begin our housing series for adults with disabilities by focusing on the campus model. Located in Texas, Marbridge is an exemplary example of the campus model. In the next two episodes, we speak with Scott McAvoy who is the VP of operations.
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Mike is the father of 25-year-old Ben. Through the years, Mike and his wife have applied their experiences with Ben and also their knowledge from the corporate world to create a system of finding, hiring, and keeping quality caregivers. Today, Mike shares the beginning stages of the process and a valuable resource to learn more.
Read MoreToday's guest, Nicole Feeney, wrote an article which spurred passionate debate. She feels caregivers of individuals with disabilities should put forth extra effort to ensure the dignity of those in our care regardless of the extra effort required. But is that true? Shouldn't society just be more accepting? Take a listen and assess which side of the debate you fall.
Read MoreSpecial needs parents do a lot of caregiving and a lot of advocacy. But, do we do enough celebrating? How do we even know the answer and what happens when the scales are tipping too heavily to one side?
This is where we are headed in Episode #4, BUT just when it seems we have things figured out...a guest will join us to put breaks on the whole thing forcing us to stop and rewind a bit.
Read MoreAre we expecting too much? Are we expecting too little? Does the team agree on realistic goals? What about your spouse? Is there disagreement over the capabilities of your child?
Episode #3 looks at behavior, education, independence, and comprehension.
When is the tendency to overestimate our special needs loved one and when is the tendency to underestimate? How do we know which voice to follow?
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