People with disabilities often require some level of specialized care. Each person with disabilities has different needs regarding their care, depending on the type and severity of their disabilities, and whether they are physical, mental or intellectual. Disability care is a vital aspect of caregiving that focuses on providing support and assistance to individuals with disabilities, enabling them to live independently and maintain a high quality of life. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 61 million, over approximately 26 percent of adults in the United States, live with a disability, highlighting the importance of disability care services.
To help these adults live fulfilling lives safely, caregivers and organizations offer disability care. This article will explore the different types of disabilities, what the caregiving entails, and the services we provide for residents in Pennsylvania and Delaware.
What Is A Disability?
Disabilities are physical or mental impairments that have significant or longstanding effects on one’s ability to carry out daily living activities.
Disabilities can manifest in various forms, affecting different aspects of a person’s life. Common types of disabilities include:
- Vision: Impairments that affect one’s ability to see clearly
- Movement: Difficulties with mobility or coordination
- Thinking: Challenges with reasoning, problem-solving, or decision-making
- Memory: Issues with retaining or recalling information
- Learning: Struggles with understanding or processing new information
- Communicating: Difficulties with verbal or non-verbal communication
- Hearing: Impairments that affect one’s ability to hear clearly
- Mental health: Conditions that impact one’s emotional well-being
- Social Relationships: Challenges with forming and maintaining relationships
These disabilities can make everyday tasks, such as moving around the house, making reasonable decisions, or maintaining social relationships, more challenging. Depending on the severity of the disability, even simple tasks can be difficult or impossible.
Any impairment can present challenges; without assistance, even mild disabilities can become impossible for the individual and family to manage.
However, with the right support, seniors and others with some disability can still live independently. The goal is to help people with disabilities maintain their autonomy, including remaining in their homes and keeping bonds with friends and family healthy.
What Is Disability Care And What Is Involved?
Disability care, in the context of caregiving, refers to providing personalized support and assistance to individuals with disabilities. This type of care aims to help people maintain their independence and overall well-being.
Caregivers may assist individuals with mental and emotional disabilities, physical disabilities, or chronic conditions such as ALS or paraplegia. In many cases, the care is ongoing, as those with disabilities often require long-term care to maintain a full life.
The services and functions vary based on the disability of the person. For those with a physical disability or difficulties, a caregiver may help with difficult or impossible tasks, such as transportation, personal hygiene, and other daily living chores. For those with a mental, emotional, or intellectual disability, caregivers may provide services such as monitoring and companionship.