Mentally disabled adults face some real issues with the availability of housing. Having a safe and secure place to live is something that is critical for those with mental health conditions and there is not always a great deal of housing available, particularly when it comes to assisted living. Sometimes affordable housing can be in hard to reach or unsafe areas. Although it may not be easy and may take some time to find the right home, different types of...
There are many factors to consider as you explore various residential care facility options. It is very important to keep in mind not only the needs of your loved one who will be living in the residential care facility, but to also take into account your own needs and the needs of the rest of your family. There are many checklists and guides that can help you on the way to making the best decision for everyone involved. It may not...
Dewayne is a 36-year-old, male, client of Residential Support Services (RSS). He has explosive anger problems and came to RSS at the young age of 19. RSS provides Dewayne with a place to live that is staffed 24/7, a day program where he can interact with his peers and work for wages. And RSS also provides all transportation needs for their clients (ex: to work, appointments, and outings). Dewayne truly enjoys the staff at RSS. He feels like they care about...
A direct support professional provides a very necessary service for people with physical or cognitive disabilities. A DSP (direct support professional) might assist with anything from transportation to socialization to personal care and housekeeping. In general, a direct support professional helps improve the overall quality of life of the people that they are assisting. Being a DSP can be both challenging and rewarding and encompass a wide range of responsibilities. A direct support professional might, on a daily basis, provide any of...
People with disabilities have important goals and values that they share, just like everybody else. Owning or renting their own home is one of the basic cornerstones of independence and it is very important for disabled people to feel this sense of responsibility. Living as independently as possible and being a part of a community is a big deal, not only for disabled people but their families as well. Despite this, people with physical and mental impairments are facing a severe...
Many Montanans qualify for Medicaid assisted living within the state of Montana. There are certain requirements and guidelines that must be met, as while a large number of residents do qualify, not all with fit the criteria. Here are some basic things that you need to know about Medicaid assisted living in Montana: The applicant must not only be a resident of Montana, but must also be a United States citizen or have the proper immigration status. Applicants must either be 65 years...
Hi my name is Scott Stewart. I live at a home through residential support services. I came to them after I had a stroke and I was greeted by caring staff. They helped me adjust to my new life there and were very patient with me. Staff Teri Reichert worked with me 5 days a week with exercises to get me up walking and out of a scooter and wheel chair. Lead staff Bonnie Lindberg was there on weekends to...
All too often, we take the little things for granted. We go through our day thinking everything we have is owed to us, like a God given birthright. These are the times it’s good to have some perspective interjected into our world view. That’s why working with the people RSS supports is so important to me. The lessons they teach us are far more important than what they get in return. Here’s an example. Chuck Smith’s recent move is one of...
Finding housing options for adults with special needs can be complicated! Group homes and assisted living facilities are a fairly new concept, as years ago it was a given that the majority of adults with special needs would be institutionalized for the duration of their adult lives. Thankfully, after decades of societal change and also countless cases of litigation, that type of thinking has changed. Now most special needs adults, even including those with very severe needs, live in a group...