Placing a Mentally Retarded Adult In a Group Home

My husband and I find ourselves in the unfortunate position of having to place his mentally retarded sister in a group home. My MIL is terminally ill and has always fought against placing her daughter.

My sil, is 38 with an IQ of 65, and otherwise fairly high functioning. She has no other medical conditions. For they past 15 years, she has been involved in a day program with AHRC. The placement seems appropriate and we really don't want to change that. AHRC, up to this point, is working toward placement, but nothing yet.

I guess I am seeking advice from anyone who has any type of experience placing disabled adults. AHRC assures us that they are investigating all avenues, but who knows. I just wonder if there aren't other avenues we should be investigating.

Any insight anyone may have would be greatly appreciated.

ETA: My husband is now his sister's guardian.

Re: Placing a Mentally Retarded Adult In a Group Home

I too care for my brother, who is developmentally delayed...He is living with me however...

Is your SIL functioning at a level that she is involved with Supported Employment ( working under the care of a job coach) ???....They may be able to steer you in the right direction to get you the help that she needs if so ...If I can think of any other ideas, I will let you know

Re: Placing a Mentally Retarded Adult In a Group Home

AHRC is usually good. I know that if you call Nassau or suffolk COunty they will also be of some assistance. Just be careful some homes are not that great which is very sad. They also have apts somewhere that are assisted living - facitiites for young adults. I am not sure where they are located

Re: Placing a Mentally Retarded Adult In a Group Home

Posted by Bops

I too care for my brother, who is developmentally delayed...He is living with me however...

Is your SIL functioning at a level that she is involved with Supported Employment ( working under the care of a job coach) ???....They may be able to steer you in the right direction to get you the help that she needs if so ...If I can think of any other ideas, I will let you know

Re: Placing a Mentally Retarded Adult In a Group Home

You have FM

Re: Placing a Mentally Retarded Adult In a Group Home

I don't work with the DD population, but work as a Service Coordinator for people with TBI through the NYS Medicaid Waiver program. One of my responsibilities is assisting with housing location. One of the things that I think attracts people to this program is the waiver offers a housing subsidy to some people if they are eligible. I am pretty sure there are a few ladies on here who work/have worked as SCs for the OMRDD waiver program. Maybe they can be of assitance as well. I am wondering if this may be a program she is eligible for? I don't know how their housing programs work though----I would just try to get her on every waitlist there is for housing/group homes. You can always turn something down, and remember as well----a lot of agencies/programs do turn themselves around so don't always go with what you may hear about a program or an agency. Check it out for yourself ;).

Re: Placing a Mentally Retarded Adult In a Group Home

I dont know all of the logistics but my Aunt lived in a group home run by the Cerebal Palsy Foundation and my mother works for MaryHaven-she teaches adults in the school and works at night in the many group homes. I know for a fact MaryHaven is really good to the "clients". My Mom has a few that she is close to that do not have families and she sometimes brings them to my house for holidays.
Good luck to you this must be a very difficult time for you & your DH!

Re: Placing a Mentally Retarded Adult In a Group Home

My sister is placed through AHRC in an assisted living apartment, where she has only one other roomate and is also pretty high functioning.

You should continue to reach out to AHRC immediately regarding their group homes. The only problem with them is that there can be extensive waiting lists. It took my sister about 5 years before she was placed.

You can also Try ACLD, another agency that works with that population.

Message edited 5/12/2009 4:01:24 PM.

Re: Placing a Mentally Retarded Adult In a Group Home

I have worked in group homes and have a SIL placed in an AHRC one also...

Do you have a service coordinator? Its usually someone through medicaid or the agency she is involved in.

I would start putting her name on waiting lists for many of the agencies out there because it does take some time to get into one. It sounds like she could live in a supportive apartment situation.

Good luck.