By providing therapeutic and supportive services in a community-based setting, adult development care providers can help relieve stress for the individual and their caregivers at home.
The strong advocacy today for community-based services for developmentally disabled adults today stems from the benefits seen by patients and their caregivers in their overall independence and happiness. When you compare the results of this type of care to those seen in treatment homes and other long-term care facilities, a disabled individual’s outlook on life is much brighter with an individualized and supportive approach.
Benefits of Community-Based Adult Developmental Care
While most developmentally disabled adults rely on family and friends for assistance, many must pay for help. Private in-home services can average $1,800 a month with annual costs for long-term care facilities can be in the tens of thousands. Medicare does not cover most long-term care, and Medicaid only covers such services for those with specific financial and medical needs. However, adults with developmental disabilities, may qualify for adult DDCTS or adult development programs which are covered by Medicaid.
Community settings, such as adult development centers, can fill this gap by providing a variety of benefits in a safe environment, with the ultimate goal of preventing or delaying the need to place a developmentally disabled individual into a costly long-term care facility.
Ultimately, community-based care offers the following benefits:
- Provides a protected place for disabled adults who cannot be left alone for their care and safety.
- Helps adults who need assistance with the basic functions of daily living to still feel independent, autonomous, and dignified, which makes them happier at home.
- Offers comfort and companionship to adults who are lonely or isolated through socialization and peer support.
- Gives adults the opportunity to receive both cognitive and social stimulation, improving mood and mental health.
- Enriches the attendees’ lives by offering creative expression through arts and crafts, musical programs, board and table games, field trips, and gentle physical therapy exercises.
Support for Caregivers
Family caregivers typically fall into this role by default and necessity, having no formal training or previous experience. It can be very overwhelming to function as a full-time caretaker, even to those who are younger and in the best of health. The day-to-day demands placed on caregivers are tremendous, and the strain can often affect the loving relationship between caregiver and the dependent adult.
This is especially true for developmentally disabled adults, who thrive best in environments with unique therapy options rather than institutionalized programs. Adult development care at Integrity, Inc. includes up to 5 hours a day of habilitative programming for those who qualify.
Adult day treatment services give the caregiver peace of mind, knowing that their loved one is safe and well cared for. This allows them to take time to meet their own needs, even if it’s just to rest. Often the caregiver is still working outside the home, making the daily availability of an adult care service essential to the continuation of their employment.
Since 1989, Integrity, Inc. has been providing patience, love, and understanding to Arkansas families through community based services for the developmentally disabled, ensuring that they may remain as independent as possible. Contact us to learn more about adult development care at 501-406-0442 and we would be happy to discuss our programming.
