Residential Care

So you've got to the point where your child with a disability is ready to move out of home? That's great! Or is it? Are you feeling nervous and afraid that she or he is going to be miserable? Here are a few ideas on choosing good accommodation.

Things to Consider

What type of housing will best suit your daughter or son?

• Will they need supervised care as in a hostel?
• Would they prefer to live with only a few in a small home? 
• Would a village-like environment suit them better? 
• Do they need secure gates? 
• Do they hate noise or make a lot of it themselves?

Noise
If they don't like noise consider the position of the proposed home. Is it near a busy road or factory with sudden whistles or bangs. Avoid spaces where loud or sudden noises could set off extreme behaviours or startle reflexes in medically fragile IH.

Company
Does your son or daughter spurn company? If they have one of the autism disorders then consider if the rooms are big enough to leave them personal space when others are in the same room. If they like people, are there rooms for communal activity?

Security
Are the grounds outside accessible but safe? Is the locking system fool-proof (it closes automatically if people forget)? Do fences still give a sight-line outside the boundary so they don't feel like prison walls? Are they high enough?

Decoration
For some intellectual disabled people the trappings of a normal house are not appropriate. Talk to the carers about items that might be broken or that have historically caused anxiety for your daughter or son. There are ways around these issues.

Personal space
Is there space for your daughter to son to store or display their personal belongings. How are their belongings kept safe? Can they have familiar items of furniture - a bed, a favourite chair, pictures?

Feelings are important as they will quickly tell you whether you and your child will feel welcome and comfortable here. You'll also pick up on some of the attitudes of the staff. Trust your feelings and go elsewhere if you feel uncomfortable.

Staff attitudes
Do staff treat your son or daughter with respect? Do they talk directly to your child? Or talk over their heads at you? Are they warm and friendly or do you feel their mind is on other things? This could indicate they're stretched by too much to do.

Staff numbers
Ask about staffing levels at various parts of the day. Will there be enough staff to handle peak times such as getting up, showering, and leaving for work or at mealtimes? Are there familiar back-up or relief staff? Are there enough for weekend outings?

Staff qualifications
If your daughter or son has specialised needs are the staff trained in how to handle these? If not, how do they propose to get that training and how soon? Are trained staff on call for emergencies? How far do they have to come?

Many small Trusts or providers of single homes do an excellent job of caring for people with an intellectal disability. But it helps if you can check out an existing home run by the same provider. You can see how important issues are handled there.

Continuity of service
If the provider has been in business for a while you can probably assume they have some financial stability and the business won't collapse leaving your son or daughter looking for new accommodation. If it's a Trust ask to see the Trust documents.

Protocols and procedures
Every carer of people with intellectual disabilities must have a manual of protocols and procedures. Ask to see it and check things like when you'll be contacted or how you will be involved in house life. Are the procedures adequate for your child?

Philosophy and Mission statements
These will probably be included in the Manual. Read them and see if they fit with the way think. Discuss them with the owner and ask staff how the philosophy is translated into life in the home.

If your daughter or son has spent many years living at home, your presence will be very important to them. They may have limited understanding of the reality of this big change so being a part of their new life will be very important, at least initially.

Visiting 
Can you and other relatives visit at any time? Can you or your child telephone at any time? Are you encouraged to take your child out or home for visits? All good signs! You can have confidence that what you see is usually what happens.

Handling complaints
What procedures does the home have for handling complaints? Do you feel staff are approachable? Do they listen and take note of what you say about your child, or do they dismiss your concerns? A bad sign!

Inclusion in decisions
What is the home policy on parental involvement in your child's life decisions? Talk to other parents, if you can, and find out what their experience has been with this residential provider. Will your child be asked for opinions or preferences?

The success of a new residential placement often rests on how quickly the person with an intellectual disability feels at home. The more familiar the routines and items around her the more likely this will happen.

Pets
Has your child been used to pets? Could a special pet move into the new home too? What are rules about pets on beds or on sofas? Who will oversee the proper care of the pet? If your child has an allergy to pet hair how will this be managed?

Food
Can the home cater for any food dislikes or intolerances? Are staff trained in feeding a medically fragile person? Where is the food prepared? If inappropriate eating is a problem, how is food and household cleansers stored?

Eating
Is the menu varied and appetising? If your child needs help eating, how will this be managed? Is the chair adequate to support your child? How often will weight be monitored? Are table manners monitored so each person eats their own meal?

Spending money
How is spending money monitored in the home and what will it be spent on? Do you want to be involved in clothes shopping trips? Is there some accountability for spending of your child's benefit or other income?

Transport
Is there a house vehicle available for outings, especially in the weekend? Does it suit the needs of your child? If your child is able to travel independently, is there a bus service close by? When travelling does a staff person accompany residents?

What makes a house a home?
Love; Security; Nurturing; Belonging; Harmony; Choice; People-centred activity.

There are many kinds of options that could suit individual people with an intellectual disability. The best way to get what your son or daughter needs is to group together with families with like-needs to lobby for the best option. This is where Rescare can help by putting you in touch with other families and supporting you in your applications for funding or support from local Health Authorities.

You are welcome to print off the information here. It has, however, cost many hours of voluntary time and some resources to mount this web page. Consider sending us a $20 membership to help us continue this work.

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