Moving out of your parents’ house is a huge milestone—for everyone! When adults with disabilities reach this natural progression in life, the moving process can be met with a few more challenges. The obstacles that individuals with disabilities face on a daily basis can make it more difficult to live independently. Thus, the dilemma that presents itself. Many of these adults have the desire to move out on their own, but they still have to rely on their parents or other family members for support at times.
The solution? Adult Family Homes: a community residence for adults with disabilities. Join us as we dive into some of the benefits of Adult Family Homes, such as caregiving services, resident responsibilities, and the tight-knit feeling of community.
What are Adult Family Homes?
Adult Family Homes (AFHs) are houses designed for adults with disabilities who wish to live more independently, but also require some level of care and support. In most AFHs, around-the-clock caregivers are provided to assist with medication, coordinating transportation and appointments, and any other personal needs.
Residents rejoice in that feeling of 24/7 comfort and care, but are also offered a newfound freedom to explore their community, develop daily living skills, and grow their social circle.
Benefits of Adult Family Homes
For Residents: Because typical AFHs house three to four adults, residents have the pleasure of living alongside their peers. The adults living together have a built-in group of friends-turned-family who may share similar strengths, challenges, and interests!
For Family: Families learn how to “let go” of their loved one and support their independence. Once a family member is no longer a full-time caregiver, they have an opportunity to recharge and pursue new experiences with peace of mind that their loved one is in great care. They can also relate to their loved one on a person to person level, not as a caregiver. This allows them to simply enjoy the time spent together, rather than using the time to accomplish a care need.
For the Community: Adult Family Homes allow the surrounding community to foster an appreciation for differences. While AFHs appear similar to any other house in the neighborhood, they are fitted with reasonable accommodations that may include wheelchair-accessible entrances, wider doorways, raised electrical outlets, and lower kitchen surfaces. AFHs help the community around them cultivate a more inclusive mindset and better understand the talents and gifts adults with disabilities have to offer. Plus, we make great neighbors!
How to Choose the Right AFH for Your Loved One
In order to ensure that your loved one will be comfortable in an Adult Family Home, it is paramount to do proper research before making the final selection. There are important questions to ask when looking for the perfect AFH, including:
- How many house-mates live in the AFH?
- Is the house physically accessible for your loved one’s abilities?
- How much freedom do the residents have?
- Do the caregivers have the proper knowledge for your loved one’s specific needs?
- Are there planned activities and outings for the residents?
An Adult Family Home can be a permanent home for your loved one, or it can just be a stepping stone to a future living arrangement that provides even greater independence, such as having their own apartment one day. In either case, selecting the right AFH for your loved one’s abilities is of the utmost importance.
Can’t find an AFH that feels quite right? No worries. There are many other living arrangements for adults with disabilities that may be better suited for your loved one’s needs. For more information on Section 8 Disability Housing, assisted living facilities, and nursing homes, read our blog, Finding the Right Housing For Disabled Adults.
Covey’s Residencies: Welcome Home
Covey, a nonprofit organization located in the greater Fox Valley of Wisconsin, is committed to fostering growth for adults with disabilities. Independence goes hand-in-hand with personal development, so we couldn’t be more excited to get our own Adult Family Homes up and running!
Covey’s primary goal is to help our clients live their life to its fullest potential, and our Adult Family Homes will allow for a substantial step in that direction. We want to make the transition as smooth as possible during such a big milestone.
Our AFH located in Green Bay, Wisconsin will be called the Hummingbird House. The hummingbird reminds us to welcome diversity in our lives and to honor the richness of variety. They are a reminder to live life to the fullest and enjoy the simple pleasures. Other symbols attached to hummingbirds include independence, healing, good luck, endurance, and resilience. They are the perfect representation for what residents will experience while living in this AFH.
Our AFH in Oshkosh, Wisconsin is called the Starling House. Starlings are symbolic of communication, your relationship with your fellow members, and your standing in society. They also symbolize unity. Often seen flocking together, these birds have learned that we are always stronger together than alone.
Our goal is for four homes to be move-in-ready by early 2024. Some of the amenities will include:
- Around-the-clock caregiving
- Client menu input
- Planned activities
- Freedom of home furnishing and decor
- Three peer house-mates
We can’t wait to open the Covey Adult Family Homes and watch our participants’ self-discovery flourish!
Do you have a loved one who is seeking greater independence? Contact us to learn more about our future Adult Family Homes!
