Follow
Share

I am the younger sister to a 56 year old mentally disabled male. We live in separate apartments but in the same borough in NY. He lives in the same apartment we grew up in and has 24/7 home care access. His home health aides have been with him for over 14 years but 1 has become ill, is
currently hospitalized and might not return upon discharge since she is already at retirement age. It will be a great challenge to find 1 person to cover her shift. (Friday mornings - Monday Mornings).
I have been offered the opportunity to place him in a new group residential for 6 people but wondering if going through with this is the right thing for him. He does love to be around his peers, but I still am worried? Has anyone had to place a loved one in a residential. I am trying to think long term rather than in the moment. Please advise..

This question has been closed for answers. Ask a New Question.
Find Care & Housing
I have a mentally challenged dear brother, he lives with us, high functioning. He was oxygen deprived at birth. We still have our challenges at home, but manage to do ok. He was in a small residential care home for about two years. It was a good clean and caring place. He had his own room, structured, nursing care. He transitioned to having his own apartment with one roommate and then after a few years he got his own apartment, big mistake on the mental health system. Very messy house, potholders in the oven while meat was cooking. Firetrucks, elders outside in cold weather due to an oven fire. Finally came home to live with us for over 10 years now. I do help him with his ADL's, from monitoring and giving his meds, cooking, making sure he is clean, helping with his laundry to shopping for him. I am a planner so I been thinking if something happened to me, what would he do. Residential or life estate at home. He needs supervision and he could not live alone. He has a councilor and a case worker for over thirty years , both are a wonderful and very supportive. I believe residential care would be best. They cook with supervision, meds given by staff, planned trips. clients monitored throughout the day. I love my brother very much, and this is the plan for his long term future, I discussed this with him and he is relieved that he would be taken care of for the rest of his life. Hope this helps. The best to you and your brother.
Helpful Answer (5)
Report

A friend of mine has a mentally challenged son. He lived with her up until a few years ago. She is getting up in age and it gets harder and harder to take care of a 25 y.o. or so male weighing 180 pound whose mental age is about 4. She found him a good group home. He is happy there and is learning new skills which my friend didn't have time to teach him. She is more at peace now that she knows he will be taken care of after she is gone.

My vote is residential group home for your brother. I know you are younger than he is but that does not mean you will be able to physically take care of him until he dies. No one knows when our time is up. So, it's better for your brother to be where he will be taken care of long term.
Helpful Answer (5)
Report

I think a residential home. At this point my disabled nephew is doing well on his own. He actually is surprising me. I oversee his spending and check on him. I am his chauffer. But he has a neurological disorder where he will, sooner than later, suffer from Dementia. He is 30 and I am 70. He too will need more care than I will be able to give, soca group home will eventually where he will need to be placed.
Helpful Answer (3)
Report

This question has been closed for answers. Ask a New Question.
Ask a Question
Subscribe to
Our Newsletter