Did you know that 2 out of 4 American adults age 65 or older live with at least one disability? Despite their challenges, most disabled seniors strive to live as independently as possible. There are a variety of disabilities, which can affect people in different ways. A disability can have a direct impact on a person’s ability to safely live on their own. A disabled person is defined as someone who has challenges with performing activities of daily living (ADLs). While most people think of a person in a wheelchair, the reality is that most disabilities are “invisible” to others. Let’s take a look at assisted living options for older adults with disabilities. 

What Are the Assisted Living Options for Disabled Seniors?

Under Title II of the American Disabilities Act (ADA), people with disabilities must have equal house opportunities. This law has helped improve the quality and quantity of housing options for disabled people. There are a wide variety of disabilities, which affect people in unique ways. The four main disability categories include the following:

• Intellectual disabilities: this affects a person’s ability to communicate, learn, and remember information.
• Mental disabilities: this affects a person’s behavior, emotions, and thoughts.
• Physical disabilities: this impacts a person’s physical health, such as their mobility
• Sensory disabilities: this impacts a person’s senses, such as blindness or hearing loss.

In general, physical and sensory disabilities are the most common types that impact a person’s housing needs. Positive changes have been made today to ensure that disabled seniors can safely live at home, such as including ramps and handrails both inside and outside of their homes. 

• Assisted Living Facility – these facilities provide expert care to older adults who are no longer able to safely live independently. These seniors may require assistance with ADLs. In general, assisted living offers either private or semi-private apartment-style rooms with a living area and kitchenette. 
• Nursing Homes – these facilities offer a supportive environment and skilled nursing care. It’s common for nursing homes to offer private and semi-private dormitories or apartment-style rooms for residents. 
• Skilled Nursing Facility – these facilities provide 24/7 medical care to patients in need of specific medical needs from a professional licensed staff. Like other facilities, skilled nursing offers both private and semi-private rooms in a comfortable home-like atmosphere.
• Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRs) – these facilities offer a complete continuum of senior care, such as independent living, skilled nursing, and more. In general, residents must be able to live independently when they arrive. However, some communities provide specific care for additional fees. You can expect to find apartments, cottages, condos, duplexes, and townhomes.

How to Find an Assisted Living Facility for Disabled Seniors?

If your loved one is looking for an assisted living facility near them, there are several options to find the best one for your loved one’s health needs. 

• Check out a national assisted living directory.
• Search on Google for assisted living facilities near you.
• Contact us for assistance with finding out how Liberty can best help your loved one.
• Explore our services page to discover how our assisted living can meet your loved one’s needs.
• Visit Liberty’s website to find a skilled nursing facility near you.

Common Assistive Devices to Promote Independence

Assistive devices are specific tools designed to help improve a person’s independence. Common assistive devices include canes or walkers used to help a person stay mobile and to support them while standing and walking. These devices help older adults achieve a higher quality of life and boost their independence. This allows older adults to live safely on their own, even if that means it’s no longer in their home. 

Examples of Assistive Devices

• Adaptive clothing to help older adults easily get dressed. 
• Applications designed to make phones and tablets touch-free.
• Computers that offer assistance like medication reminders and answering questions (i.e. date, time, weather, etc.).
• Door knock notifications for those that are deaf or have hearing loss.
• Large print keyboards and large display clocks for those with visual impairment.
• Modified keywords, such as LUCY.
• Robot vacuums and mops that self-clean the senior’s home on a regular basis.
• Voice recognition products.

As the need for assistive technology increases, it’s important to do your research for the best products for your loved one. For any devices that are connected to a computer, it’s important to ensure that the device is compatible with your computer’s operating system (OS). After all, you want to ensure that your loved one can easily use the devices designed to help them.

We hope this article helped provide an overview of your loved one’s assisted living options. Since many seniors are living with disabilities, it’s important to know what their options are regarding where to live and how specific facilities can help them achieve a high quality life and more independence. At Liberty Healthcare and Rehabilitation Services, we provide expert services at all of our assisted living facilities in NC. Contact us today to learn how we can help your loved one receive the care and support they deserve!