It is a good idea to think about your child’s future while they’re still young. Part of this is making them beneficiaries of numerous benefits, such as Medicaid and SSI disability benefits.
In addition, you might also want to consider choosing a group home for young adults with disabilities and special health care needs, where they will get the full care they need in their young adult life. With that said, there are some considerations to take.
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What to Look for in a Group Home
Not all group homes are the same, and some provide better care than others. Take your time to choose the best one, and don’t settle for a group home if you think it’s not a good fit.
Here are some things you can ask about during your inquiry:
- How many staff are working every given time?
- What is the ratio of staff to residents?
- What training or experience do staff have?
- Are the staff caring and respectful?
- What is the turnover rate for staff?
- What do residents do during the day?
- Does my child have to share a room with roommates?
- What house chores will my child have to do?
- When can my child have visitors?
- How can other family members or I stay in touch with my child?
- Is there transportation, such as to work or for doctor’s visits?
- Does the home seem safe, clean, and organized?
- Does the neighborhood feel safe?
It’s best to visit a group home at different times of the day so you can see how the staff and the home are like in the day, evening, weekdays, and weekends. Don’t settle for less, and ensure that it will be a safe space that your child can enjoy.
How Much Do Group Homes Cost?
Group homes can either be free for your child and family or be very expensive. The costs usually depend on many factors, and you need to consider the following:
- If your child has the Home and Community-Based Services (HCS) waiver, they can live in a group home for free since HCS will pay for the service.
- You need to get a waiver list now to plan for your child’s future. Waiver lists are usually long, so even if you’re still unsure about which services your child will need, it’s good to get one now.
- If your child does not have an HCS waiver, group homes are estimated to cost $2000 or more every month. So, they’re costly if you’re only paying on your own.
Conclusion
It can be overwhelming to think about where your child will live as a young adult when you can’t care for them anymore. Other than group homes, you may also consider state-supported living centers. Some families also opt for setting up apartments next to each other where some adult children live, and the family members work together to take care of them.
If your child has the Medicaid HCS waiver, you can choose the host home/companion care option, where your child can live with you or another family. This pays you as their caregiver or allows you to hire a caregiver to come into your home. Either way, preparation for your child’s future must begin today.
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