24/7 care for my adult child?

24/7 care for my adult child?

When you may no longer be able to provide care for your adult child living with a disability, start by looking at three key areas to help you prepare.

Getting your child and service providers ready

• Independence: Actively build the child's independent living skills where possible.
• Communication: Maintain open communication, focusing on the child's preferences for their future.
• Mental Health: Recognize that sibling or other family member carers may feel overwhelmed when caring for your child 24/7, plan ahead and make care additional arrangement with service providers can alleviate the care-load.

Build future care plans for your child

• Healthcare: Document medical and allied health professions in care of your adult child. List medical preferences, medication, and allergies.
• Daily Living: Record daily care routines in a "Letter of Intent" and food preferences.
• Accommodation: Consider residential options, such as supported independent living or shared housing, to foster independence.
• NDIS planning: Build a transition plan that helps the adult child be cared for by NDIS carers, and other family members so there is earlier and wider community support.
• Guardianship: Identify siblings, family members, or professional guardians who will assume responsibility. Discuss their intention and willingness to provide 24/7 care, and options for professional care services to assist.

Know your legal and financial matters

• Create a Will: that specifically addresses the care of the adult child, including succession planning.
• Establish a Special Needs Trust: or similar arrangement to protect assets without disqualifying the child from government benefits (like DSP). This gives them access to funds for extraordinary daily living needs, extracurricular activities and ongoing healthcare.
• Appoint a legal guardian: make the guardianship official via NCAT. Then the guardian can act on behalf of your disabled adult child in legal and financial matters.

Early preparation can go a long way toward reducing stress for the parent and loved one at a time when continuity of care is needed. Ask your support co-ordinator for guidance.