March is National Developmental Disability Awareness Month, a recognition of the roughly 7 million Americans who live with a developmental disability.
While these disabilities are typically noticed at a young age, they can persist throughout a person’s entire life. Three major known causes of intellectual disability are Down syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), and Fragile X syndrome.
There are also other conditions that frequently co-occur with intellectual disabilities, such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), cerebral palsy (CP), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), seizures, and mental illness.
In many instances, people living with developmental disabilities may experience challenges with:
- Mobility
- Fine motor skills
- Their ability to process information
- Their ability to engage in social interactions
These challenges often require a little outside support to manage. That’s where SYNERGY HomeCare’s disability care program comes into play.
Below is an outline of exactly how these homecare services can benefit a person living with a developmental disability:
Companionship
Living with a disability can be an isolating experience, especially if it impacts a person’s ability to handle social situations, which is often the case with an autism spectrum disorder.
To these individuals, home care provides them with more than just a caregiver – it also provides them with a friend. Reducing social isolation and loneliness is key to their quality of life.
A caregiver will not only listen attentively and engage in one-on-one conversations with their client living with a disability, but they’ll also join them in their favorite activities and provide a comfortable social outlet in their day-to-day routine. Caregivers can be a source of joy, entertainment, and emotional support.
Promoting Independence
It may seem counterintuitive that having extra help actually results in more independence, but that’s often the case for many people living with developmental disabilities.
Activities of daily living (ADLs) such as bathing, dressing, cooking, and cleaning can be extremely difficult or even impossible without having some outside assistance
Caregivers don’t just do these tasks for a person living with a disability, they teach important self-sufficiency skills and provide encouragement.
With the help of a caregiver, struggling to complete an ADL can suddenly be transformed from an overbearing challenge to a source of accomplishment and provide motivation to take on additional day-to-day tasks.
Improving Safety and Accessibility
Professional caregivers know what to look for when handling potential safety hazards. For individuals with mobility or sensory impairments, a caregiver can be key to creating a safe and accessible living environment.
Whether it’s rearranging everyday items to lower shelves for easier reach, sticking carpets to the floor to eliminate tripping hazards, or spacing out furniture to provide more room for activity, a caregiver can be a great companion who also has safety at the top of mind.
Utilizing home care services can be an excellent way to improve the quality of life for a person living with a developmental disability. Caregivers like those with SYNERGY HomeCare know how to create tailor-made plans for every individual, and they take just as much joy out of their interactions as the person that they get to assist.
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For more information on caring for a loved one living with a disability, download SYNERGY HomeCare’s free Disability Care Guide.
SYNERGY HomeCare offers no obligation home assessments. Find a location near you or Contact us to talk to a Home Care specialist.
