There are many preconceived notions around the world regarding people suffering from disabilities which unfortunately have created negative attitudes as people that have a living disability are seen as just sickly, defective persons. Most people see disabled people as a burden to their families and themselves and that they solely depend on others to support them.

Disabled living comes with its own hardships that disabled persons overcome everyday and they should be treated as with respect. It was not until the late 1960s that support groups formed by disabled people to promote rehabilitation and normalization for people within their group.

People living with a handicap can sometimes do a lot for themselves but they may not want to do everything for themselves. They still may want assistance and do not want to live in isolation. Independent living for disabled people requires choices as well as control in their everyday lives which many people may have taken for granted. With the assistance of mobility equipment they can commute and tend to their daily activities normally and need to be acknowledged and loved for who they are. Read the rest of this entry »

In the coming decades, as the baby boomers continue to enter into the retirement phase of their lives, the options for living as independently as possible have increased. In states like Arizona or Florida, adult communities have provided a snapshot of what aging looks like for seniors. While active and independent at age fifty-five, aging into one’s eighties and nineties often requires some assistance with daily living activities. Assisted living residences have evolved out of the desire to be as independent for as long as one can.

In the healthcare industry activities of daily living (ADLs), such as being able to drive, use the telephone, make meals, and maintain personal hygiene, are used as a measure of an adult’s ability to live independently. If a person needs help in one or more of these activities, choosing a home that provides this aid may be the answer.

A healthcare provider should conduct an evaluation of any limitations of daily activities. Knowing how much help an individual needs is the first step to finding the right residence. Some assisted living communities are set up to provide very basic services, like making meals, assisting with shopping needs, and providing help with transportation. Other communities will provide basic care at the start, yet have the ability to add services depending on a person’s future needs. Read the rest of this entry »