Skip to main content

Parenting an Adult Child with Disabilities: Questions to Ask at a Group Home Visit

 


When our son, Ben, turned 14, I started researching group homes in North Carolina. I visited one large facility and one six-bed group home. I felt overwhelmed, sad and scared after those two visits. The experience made me aware of how difficult the process would be, both emotionally and mentally.

Although your child may have a case manager to help locate agencies with group homes and alternative family living placements, most of the process is up to the family.

Once you narrow down a placement, here are questions you might want to have answered:

Staff

  • How are staff vetted for employment?
  • What experience does the agency have running group homes?
  • How many staff are on duty throughout the day? 
  • How does the agency recruit and retain staff?
  • Is someone awake during the night in case my child needs assistance?

Home

  • Who are they looking for to fill the space within the group home? Co-ed or single gender?
  • What's the layout of the house? 
  • How many bathrooms? 
  • Does each person have a private room?
  • Are the bathrooms and entranceways accessible for wheelchairs?
  • Is there an outdoor space at the house?
  • Is the neighborhood walkable?
  • Who cooks the meals? 
  • Do residents have input into the menu?
Move-In
  • What does the move-in process look like?
  • Are we able to decorate our child's room? 
  • What size bed can we bring?
  • Are we able to bring a TV?
  • What furniture is provided? 
  • May we paint the room another color?
  • Is there wifi in the room for Amazon Prime, HBO Max and other providers?
  • Will you inventory our child's items?

Activities and Schedule

  • What does a weekly schedule look like? 
  • Do parents have access to the weekly schedule?
  • What kinds of community outings does the group home do?
  • Does the group home participate in the Special Olympics and other community activities?
  • Does the group home have an alliance with other group homes for shared activities?
  • Is the group home connected to a local church?
  • What kind of transportation do you use for outings? 
  • Do you have an accessible vehicle for outings?
  • Can my child attend school if they are not yet 22 years old?
  • Is there a day program associated with the group home?
  • What are other residents doing during the day?

Medical Information

  • Who will schedule and take my child to their medical appointments?
  • If I am available, may I schedule and take my child to their medical appointments?
  • Do you have a protocol for emergencies within the house? Outside of the house?
  • Will legal guardians be informed of changes in medical status and emergencies? How?

Oversight

  • Who visits the home for health and safety checks? How often?
  • Who else comes into the group home to see that things are running well?
  • How does the local management entity interact with the group home?

Visiting and Communication

  • How often can the family visit the group home?
  • How often can we take our child home?
  • How do staff communicate with parents?
  • Are families able to plan birthday parties or other events for the residents?
  • Are we able to FaceTime with our child if we provide an iPad?
If you have suggestions for other questions, please add them in the comments. 



"Parenting an Adult Child with Disabilities" is a series on eSpeciallyBen. As Ben approached 18, it was clear our role changed as parents. We needed to help Ben transition into adulthood. These stories are meant to assist other families who face, or will face, some of the same challenges.


Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Thank you for reading my post. I appreciate you taking the time to comment. If you wish to contact me directly, please let me know and I will email you.

Popular posts from this blog

Parenting an Adult Child with Disabilities

  "Parenting an Adult Child with Disabilities" is a series on eSpeciallyBen. As Ben approached 18, it was clear our role changed as parents. We needed to help Ben transition into adulthood. These stories are meant to assist other families who face, or will face, some of the same challenges. Talking About the Future Guest Post - Matt Wilson Legal Guardianship, Medicaid and SSI Researching Group Homes Questions to Ask at a Group Home Visit Referral Packet for Group Homes Getting Assistance from a Care Manager From Group Home Placement to Discharge Reaching for Independence
1 comment
Read more

He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother

After my post, Brotherly Love , I received an email from a reader who reminded me of this song. I knew the song, but had never really thought about the words and the meaning behind them. I looked it up and thought others might see the lyrics in a new light.   He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother The road is long With many a winding turn That leads us to who knows where Who knows when But I'm strong Strong enough to carry him He ain't heavy, he's my brother. So on we go His welfare is of my concern No burden is he to bear We'll get there For I know He would not encumber me If I'm laden at all I'm laden with sadness That everyone's heart Isn't filled with the gladness Of love for one another. It's a long, long road From which there is no return While we're on the way to there Why not share And the load Doesn't weigh me down at all He ain't heavy, he's my brother. He's my brother He ain't h
1 comment
Read more

Make this Race Amazing

Mecklenburg County's Therapeutic Recreation's Amazing Race is Saturday, March 24, 2012. All funds raised go directly to the scholarship fund for summer camp. Summer Camp is 8 weeks long with over 150 children with special needs participating. Last year, over $6,500 was given away in scholarships. In times of budget cuts and loss of resources, Amazing Race is a creative way for the staff to raise money for the children who may need financial assistance attending camp. I will be posting photos from 2011 camp. I am only posting photos that do not show faces of the children, but you will get the idea about how much they enjoy the activities. You don't have to see their smiles, you just have to feel them. The staff have sent me their thoughts on how they feel about camp and I will be posting those as well. Most are trained as recreational therapists and have devoted their life's work to helping children and adults with special needs learn skills, make friends, de
Post a Comment
Read more