If you have an adult child who has developmental delays or
a behavioral disorder, you can no longer rely on the public school
system or other programs. Your child might be able to provide for some of their
own needs, but they also might need help with day-to-day living.
Many families are not able to provide the daily companionship that some
adults with developmental special needs require. Even if your adult child is
mobile, they might need help with preparing meals, having social interactions,
and earning an income.
To help meet these needs, you might consider hiring an adult sitter who has
experience with nursing and companion home care. Here are some benefits to
consider as you make this choice for or with your adult child.
Fostering More Independence
The goal of care for people with special needs is to help them develop the
ability to live as independently as possible. Companion caregivers have nursing
training or social work training to help your child make improvements.
For example, with a daily companion, your child might be able to live away
from your home. They could have their own space and begin life as an adult with
the help that a companion provides. Your child might even be able to get
employment if they have high-functioning abilities and a companion to help them
stick to a schedule and pack food for the day.
Living away from home gives adult children options to choose their own path
or to make their own mistakes. Many people with disabilities possess the
faculty to learn and make decisions based on what they want from life, but they
still need some assistance from an aide.
Preventing Accidents and Self-Harm
Some individuals might experience periods of independence, but they also
might have trouble with feeling overwhelmed. For example, someone with a
sensory processing disorder might be able to work well with a schedule and
a living space set up to make them comfortable.
However, changes to their space or invited chaos could trigger a
reaction that requires exterior help. A nurse-trained companion can help to
provide counseling, coping mechanisms, or even medication at the moment to
work through times of difficulty that would normally lead to
behavioral problems or troublesome accidents.
Providing Transportation
Part of living independently means being able to get where you need to
go. You might worry that your adult child cannot live on their own because they
aren't able to take the bus, drive a car, or ride a bike without help.
A companion service makes these modes of transportation possible. They can
help a person with special needs get to the bus on time. If a car is needed,
they might provide driving as part of their service. Ideally, a person might
live in an area where many amenities can be reached in walking distance to help
give your child as much independence as possible.
Helping With Medical Needs and Doctor Requirements
If you are not at home to give your child medications or vitamins or to
prepare meals in a certain way because of intolerances, a nurse home assistant
can help. You don't have to be consistently tied to your adult child's medical
care, but you also can't leave medications in the hands of a person with
special needs who may not understand them or be consistent in taking
them.
Instead, you might opt to have a professional in place to disburse
medications and help with mealtime, especially if you won't be there or if your
child wants to try living alone.
For more information, contact us
at Redi-Nurse
at your convenience.
