By now you know that we provide in-home care for adults and seniors that need an extra hand. What you may not have realized is that we provide care for adults and children with disabilities. Caring for a disabled adult or child requires a different care plan. We also care for children with or without disabilities but this article will focus on providing care for adults with disabilities.
Disabled adults are very similar to you and I. They have daily tasks and responsibilities to adhere to, just like we do, however they usually need a helping hand completing their tasks so of course, when it comes to caring for them, it’s necessary to recognize their needs and assist in the best possible way. We understand how to care for adults with disabilities and here are some of our keys to success.
Understand Their Needs
It’s true- the care needs of individuals with disabilities can be rather complicated, but there’s no need for caregiver confusion when you have access to resources that provide clear information on how to best help them. Gather as much information about the person’s condition to understand the care they need.
Once you understand their disability you can assess the needs of your patient and you can produce a care plan that is tailored specifically for the patient. Every case is different. You must understand the individual to know the different ways to improve quality of care.
Pro Tip: An intellectual disability will require a different care plan than a physical disability.
Be Patient
Patience is a virtue! And patience with disabled individuals is an absolute must! Adults with disabilities cannot always perform daily tasks like cleaning or getting dressed in a timely manner. They also have limited mobility, which can make cooking difficult for them too – but this is ok! That is what we are here for! Over time your patients may develop their skills so that you’re both comfortable and productive while working together.
Pro Tip: Do not rush through patient exercises even if they take longer than usual because ultimately patience will pay off when caring about others.
Use Clear Language
There are a number of ways that you can make talking more effective and easier for someone with disabilities. Use simple sentences when expressing your thoughts. Do not talk too fast or use big, complicated words!
Pro Tip: Make statement, and ask questions. You might say, “When you’re done eating, please put your dish in the sink.” A few minutes later, ask a follow-up question, “What did I ask you to do after you eat?”
Assist When Needed
Depending on the nature of the disability, adults require different levels of help. If the person has a physical disability, you’re expected to perform tasks like lifting objects or moving the person around. You will need to be able to show that you are strong enough to lift heavy objects on your own before committing to helping someone with a disability. The last thing we want is for a caregiver to try to lift something and hurt themselves in the process. That would not be a good situation for either person involved!
In cases of intellectual disabilities, your assistance is needed to help with developmental skills such as reading and writing. Before caring for the person, fully understand what your responsibilities will be. We always make sure our caregivers know what to expect.
The above tips are just the basics to caring for an adult with a disability. There is a lot to know in this area but that is where we are the experts! We will explain our care plans in depth with the families we work with to make sure everyone is comfortable moving forward. We can also work with children with disabilities. Williams Loving Care listens and truly understand the needs of our patients. We are your helping hand. Our goal is to provide our patients and their families peace of mind.