Question for a Potential Plot

[kriadydragon]

Are there facilities for people with mental and/or physical handicaps (autism, Down Syndrom, cerebral palsy) to be cared for if they have no one to care for them, or if the family is unable to care for them? I would assume there are, in which case are they specific (an institution caring for those with Down syndrome and another for those with severe autism)? Or are there some facilities that take anyone without being specific to their disability if they need caring for? Anyone know any sites that would help me for research purposes?

I've had this SGA plot in my head for quite some time and am really starting to lean toward wanting to write it, but only if I can make it work.

Comments

[karri-kln1671.livejournal.com]

It depends on the severity of the handicap. There's complete institutionalization, ie. State Mental Hospitals or Rest Homes, for those who can't care for themselves independently at all. Usually social workers try to get such individuals into assisted living or half-way houses, both of which allow varying degrees of independence while maintaining some level of supervision. With those placed into a half-way, the goal would be to eventually get them to a point of full independence, though that doesn't always happen.

I'm assuming adults here. For children, there are a few kinds souls who will foster handicapped kids.

This might be useful: http://www.patriciaebauer.com/category/independent-living/

[abracah.livejournal.com]

I did a search for group homes for mental handicap and a whole list of places and information came up. Maybe you could google it to find what you need?

Pocus

[drufan.livejournal.com]

Some foster parents are specially trained ( for lack of a better word) to handle children with handicaps. The Association for Retarded Citizens has group homes for those children parents cannot handle at home due to various circumstances. There are other groups that take specific handicaps (emotional, severely disturbed). The ARC handles any with any sort of mental handicap: autism, Downs, other syndromes at any learning level.

Private organizations may provide assited living to total care. I think it differs state to state on institutionalization and other care provided.

I worked in a group home for three summers while in college. And I taught for seven years the trainable mentally handicapped (Downs, autistic, cerebral palsy, etc.).

The turn over rate is high and the staff at some places are given minimal training. It's a high stress field but I still miss it.

[nebbyjen.livejournal.com]

Yes. I worked for 5 years in an adult division at such a place. It was a private insitution that accepted state funding. The main body of individuals being cared for had very low IQs and were unable to care for themselves, but many also had phsyical handicaps as well. Most arrived each day from group homes, but for those who were in need of complete care or were difficult, they stayed at the facility full time. Any questions, feel free to ask.

[kriadydragon.livejournal.com]

What you mentioned is probably what I'm looking for - a place that cares for both those mentally and physically handicapped who can't take care of themselves. DO they have people with medical training on hand for those with physical handicaps?

[nebbyjen.livejournal.com]

There was a nurses station that had one nurse (max 3) on hand at any one time in our building to take care of any medical situations, ie: meds or injuries. They spent very little time mixed in with the general population. (A doctor was available at the main building.) But, all other needs...all of them (you name it, we did it)... were taken care of by us. We had to be re-certiified every six months to maintain our postions.

The place I worked at is one of the best in the US.

[clarkangel.livejournal.com]

Up until 20 years ago, the prison I work at used to be a developemental center. My mother was a therapy aid there and took care of both kids and adults with Down Syndrom and autism.

They lived there full time. Basically, sadly, alot of parents dumped them off there earlier, rather than trying to get help at home or assisted living arrangements.