Finding out that somebody in your family is disabled – whether its an elder, a child or someone else – is always a difficult time. Emotions can run high. At the same time, you have a bunch of questions swirling around in your head, such as how am I going to find a good support coordinator? You want to proceed in the correct way, but you’re not always sure how. In this post, we take a look at some of the questions you should ask if somebody in your family becomes disabled. By answering them, you’ll have a better picture of where you stand.
For more on this topic, check out the full Tough Times collection
What Do They Require?
First, you’ll need to find out what equipment and support they require to help them manage their disability. For instance, in terms of support, you may want to start looking to see if there is an in-home care Service provider in your area that offers services for those living with a disability. Often remaining at home with assistance allows those living with a disability to enjoy the best quality of life possible. You’ll need to consider long-term solutions since most disabilities won’t disappear by themselves.
Some disabled relatives might require tenure in a nursing home where they can access around-the-clock support for their condition. However, this solution should only be reserved for the most severe cases. According to the Nursing Home Law Center, there is currently an epidemic of elder abuse in these facilities – something that families will be keen to avoid if they can.
Other disabled relatives might require some basic equipment that you can keep in the house, such as frames, chairs and rails. Healthcare professionals should be able to tell you what you need to install.
What Do They Want?
The next question to ask is “what do they want?” If the disabled person’s disability doesn’t affect their cognition, they should be able to tell you. For instance, they may prefer to stay at home instead of going into an institution. Or they may want carers to come to the home and offer assisted living services.
Give the newly-disabled person time to think about their condition and what they need. Don’t try to force anything on them. Usually, if you allow them to process what’s happened, they will naturally reach out for help from the people around them.
What Makes The Most Financial Sense?
Putting your disabled relative into full-time accommodation is expensive. Recent estimates suggest that annual nursing home costs are now in excess of $100K. That’s a lot of money for most people.
However, keeping them at home might not be ideal either, particularly if you have to cut down on work to look after them. Many families that look after a disabled person experience severe financial stress.
The trick here is to combine all your expenses under one roof if you can. So, instead of traveling to the disabled family member’s home, you keep them in your house, or vice versa. You then pool resources, paying for things like assisted living carers when you need them.
Whether you provide care yourself depends on your hourly rate. If it is more profitable for you to work and simply hire a care worker at a lower rate, then you should do that. However, if hiring a carer costs more than your rate, then you should “sell” your own time for care work to save money. If the latter is applicable, you can take a look at this free NDIS registration guide to see how you can start your own small business as a support worker.
Do You Need To Modify The Disabled Person’s Home?
Home modifications aren’t usually particularly expensive, but they are necessary. You’ll need to figure out what you need to change quickly to ensure that the property remains safe. Otherwise, your disabled relative’s mobility might be in jeopardy.
In some cases, it will be impractical to make changes (or cost too much money). In circumstances like this, you’ll want to talk to your relative about the possibility of perhaps moving home and living somewhere else.
Will Their Disability Get Worse?
Unfortunately, most disabilities don’t get better and some get worse. If you’re dealing with one that’s likely to deteriorate, you’ll need to begin preparing for it following diagnosis.
Dementia, for instance, can be one of the most challenging conditions to manage. During the early phases, relatives may have trouble walking. As it progresses, they’ll need help with virtually everything, including feeding.
What Does Their Doctor Think?
Before making any permanent decisions about the disabled family member’s living arrangements, check with their doctor. They should be able to tell you how you should proceed and the type of care that the relative needs. They’ll also be able to provide information about whether the disability will get any better or worse.
Doctors can be helpful in many ways because they provide objective information about prospects. They can tell you whether your loved one is likely to pass away soon or live out a normal lifespan. In some cases, you may need to seek hospice services.
For more on this topic, check out the full Tough Times collection
