Evaluating Need: Characteristics of Care - Permanent Impairment

When young people are permanently impaired, either due to physical or mental disability, ongoing care may be necessary. As with elderly people who are permanently impaired, this level of care can be administered in the home or in a skilled care facility, with caregivers from a range of skill sets. At home, a primary caregiver can work with skilled and custodial aides to facilitate as much independent living for the impaired youth as possible.  These can include physical and speech therapists, and nurses. When they remain at home, disabled youth have the best chance at receiving the same opportunities non-challenged youth have.

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Elements of Care for Permanent Impairment

Many of the problems that impaired youth and their caretakers face may make in-home care seem impractical. Examples of these issuese include poor or inappropriate social skills and frequent episodes of aggressive or other anti-social behavior. As these issues often spring from the frustration, isolation and difficult social issues impaired youth often face, solutions are perhaps better first sought at home if it is a supportive, loving environment.

The most valuable thing to an impaired child’s’ development is probably feeling as ‘normal’ as possible.  Placing them in a facility can, more often than not, hinder rather than help. So long as no one is endangered and the child is able to preserve meaningful social relationships, therapeutic counseling can probably help as much, if not more, on an in-patient basis.

Public school systems are required to accommodate needs of those with physical and emotional impairments. Special classes exist for the emotionally and mentally challenged, or private education is also available. There are also a variety of community services available to help make the lives of impaired youth as fulfilling as possible.

When impaired youth are unable to function in multiple areas, are unable or unwilling to cooperate, lack motivation or ability to participate in personal care or social activities or are far out of touch with reality, in-home care is most often not possible.  These individuals require 24-hour supervision in a highly structured setting. In-patient psychiatric facilities and facilities for impaired children who require a behavioral approach may be the most logical choices for these situations.

Many of the financial burdens which arise with elder care are magnified in situations which include impaired youth, as the care will extend for a far more significant amount of time and may require a higher level of support. LTC coverage for circumstances of permanent impairment may be subject to provider discretion, but if the correct policy can be found, then this coverage can provide a safety net and peace of mind for already strained parents. The emotional stress incurred in discovering your child is ill cannot be lessened, but with the proper LTC coverage, the financial burden may be.

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