Assisted living for the disabled varies depending on the type of disability. Young people may end up in elderly facilities, causing isolation and depression. Alternative facilities exist, including small living groups. Mental disability facilities can be restrictive, but some good ones exist.
Assisted living for the disabled is usually designed in such a way as to maximize the independence of the disabled person without compromising safety. As such, supported living can be very different depending on the type of disability a person has. People with physical disabilities who do not impair mental functions may feel more comfortable in a facility among other people their age or other people with very similar disabilities. Mentally disabled people are often housed in residential facilities. When disability and old age are both factors, standard assisted living facilities for older adults are usually used.
One of the most common types of assisted living for the disabled is the same type of structure that assists the elderly who can no longer live independently. When the disabled person is in fact an elderly person, this is not problematic because the facility is often designed to accommodate many different stages of physical capacity and mental functioning. Unfortunately, many young people also end up in facilities for the elderly because there are no other suitable facilities that offer assisted living for the disabled. Young people are often extremely isolated in these settings and can face loneliness and depression.
Fortunately, there are also alternative facilities that offer assisted living for the disabled. Most disabled people find independent living to be preferable to supported living, but when this cannot be managed, it is highly desirable for disabled people to be surrounded by their peers. Facilities for people with purely physical disabilities strive to support the disabled person’s independence and ability to function.
For people with mental illnesses, assisted living for the disabled may be much more restrictive. Indeed, assisted living here often bears a resemblance to institutionalisation, although some extremely good facilities are available. People who have certain mental disabilities need supervision for safety reasons, so these settings are often less deprived than other assisted living situations.
One solution that some people with disabilities prefer to traditional assisted living is to form groups and share a caretaker. When a disability is severe enough to require special care but not severe enough to warrant the reduction in autonomy caused by moving to an assisted living facility, a very small living group may form. By living together and sharing caretaker and equipment costs, people with certain disabilities can still live independently and among chosen friends, which can be a positive experience compared to the isolation that might be faced in a senior care facility .
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