The process of establishing a plan for the future that allows a person with an intellectual or developmental disability (I/DD) to live as independently and successfully as possible is known as future planning. It is crucial to have a plan in place during all phases of life, but particularly for the time in the future when the parent or caregiver will no longer be able to offer assistance.
A person-centered future plan should take into account the preferences of the individual with intellectual or developmental disability, as well as those of his or her parents, siblings, extended family members and friends, and any other significant persons in the individual's life. The plan should include details about a person's whole life, including the following categories of information:
Typical activities, requirements, and sources of assistance
Living arrangements
The individual's and their family's financial situation, includes public benefits, assets, earnings, trusts, and insurance policies
Details regarding the individual's medical history as well as the names and contact information for their doctors (including any medications and food allergies)
Assistance with decision-making
Education background Information on the individual's work, leisure activities, religious views, behaviors, hobbies, friendships, and other significant relationships as well as details regarding the individual's education
Before you begin preparing, you should first ask yourself the following question: "During a life change, what would the individual require so that he or she may keep their daily routine?" The next step is to design a plan for the individual's life once the change has taken place. It is crucial to employ a collaborative approach while discussing and constructing the plan, and it is equally important to always retain the interests, preferences, and skills of the person with intellectual and developmental disabilities as the primary emphasis bing maps.
Who is on the team that is preparing for the future?
Ask the individual with intellectual and/or developmental disability (I/DD) who he or she would like to have on the team. Team members can include the individual with I/DD, parents, siblings, other family members, friends, legal and financial professionals, and other significant people in the person's life. It's possible that some of these individuals reside in another state, but it's important that you mention them if they have a significant impact on your life. This team collaborates to determine the supports that the individual will need and then takes action to establish those supports.
Planning for the future is something that can and should be done.
Planning for the future is an essential activity for all families. The act of considering one's path forward in time may be taxing and stressful. Having a concrete strategy for the future facilitates a smoother departure from the parental home for individuals diagnosed with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
Some families may believe that planning is not an option for them because they do not have enough money to give to an adult son or daughter who has intellectual or developmental disability (I/DD), or because they cannot afford a lawyer or an estate planner. This is not the case at all. The process of planning involves a lot of different steps, many of which have nothing to do with money. In addition, it is essential for low-income families to educate themselves about the public assistance opportunities that may be open to them and to take the necessary procedures to enroll a member of their family in the appropriate program.