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<h3>When parents age—or pass away—there’s often no formal transition plan for who takes over care.</h3>I’m Samantha Harrison. Behind every Medicaid waiver and disability policy is &nbsp;a family fighting for their loved one’s future. This space is about truth, courage, and clarity—giving you tools, hope, and a steady voice when everything feels like too much.<h3>For many families, it's the sibling who steps in.&nbsp;</h3><ul><li>Not because you asked for it.</li><li>Not because you're the best fit.</li><li>But because you were next in line, and no one else stepped up.</li></ul>Suddenly, you're in charge of medical decisions, housing, benefits, staffing, and day-to-day care. All while juggling your own life, job, and family.It’s a massive responsibility. And you’re not alone if you feel completely unprepared.<figure id="figure-ey0lw4mbkmay5iqqg" class=""><img id="ey0lw4mbkmay5iqqg" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1418493553/photo/portrait-of-happy-young-man-with-down-syndrome-with-his-mother-sitting-at-cafe-outdoors-and.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=ToWYQNKfKHbB5ljBggFE1Qp3bJe7DIfRNhTmDuOd6QQ=" alt="Portrait of happy young man with Down syndrome with his mother sitting at cafe outdoors and talking." title="Portrait of happy young man with Down syndrome with his mother sitting at cafe outdoors and talking." class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1418493553/photo/portrait-of-happy-young-man-with-down-syndrome-with-his-mother-sitting-at-cafe-outdoors-and.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=ToWYQNKfKHbB5ljBggFE1Qp3bJe7DIfRNhTmDuOd6QQ=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>The Emotional Whiplash of Becoming “The One”</h3>Many siblings describe this moment as overwhelming, isolating, or even guilt-inducing. Some common thoughts I hear:“I love my brother, but I don’t know how to be his caregiver.”“I’m terrified I’ll make the wrong decision.”“I don’t want to live my life with resentment—or regret.”Even when families are close, this shift can bring up buried emotions, family conflict, or unresolved trauma. It’s a lot.But there is a way to do this with more clarity and less chaos.<figure id="figure-69demg6wqbmay2gomp"><img id="69demg6wqbmay2gomp" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/973216438/photo/senior-men-at-nature.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=PmEIRM_GtEMTGpMd7OrXZVI71hOAF07faf4vaKHMVIg=" alt="senior men at nature" title="senior men at nature" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="null" data-positiony="null" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/973216438/photo/senior-men-at-nature.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=PmEIRM_GtEMTGpMd7OrXZVI71hOAF07faf4vaKHMVIg=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>💡 &nbsp;Step One: Get the Lay of the Land</h3>Before you dive in, take a moment to step back and assess:<ul><li>Is there a Medicaid waiver or other benefit in place?</li><li>Has anyone documented care routines, medications, or preferences?</li><li>Are there guardianship or legal documents already set up?</li><li>What supports are being paid for—and which ones are provided by family?</li></ul> If the answer to most of these is “I don’t know”&nbsp; that’s okay. Most siblings are thrown in without a map. That’s where planning support comes in.<figure id="figure-dhfzskpzmmay2guh3"><img id="dhfzskpzmmay2guh3" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1164358693/photo/disabled-man-works-in-the-garden.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=SbNnluAwzANvTOyxOvXQ_hVUF4eg3Iz3cZo29z1zxqM=" alt="Disabled man works in the garden" title="Disabled man works in the garden" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="null" data-positiony="null" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1164358693/photo/disabled-man-works-in-the-garden.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=SbNnluAwzANvTOyxOvXQ_hVUF4eg3Iz3cZo29z1zxqM=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Step Two: Build a Support Team</h3>You shouldn’t have to do this alone.Your first move isn’t to “fix everything.” It’s to build a circle of support. That might include:<ul><li>A disability consultant who can walk you through what’s available</li><li>A case manager who knows the waiver system</li><li>Other family members or trusted people who can help share the load</li><li>A legal or financial advisor if guardianship or trust questions come up</li></ul> The goal isn’t to become the expert—it’s to build a structure that doesn’t rely entirely on you. <figure id="figure-mzi2p4e5wtmay2gz1z"><img id="mzi2p4e5wtmay2gz1z" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/2169337548/photo/gentle-touch-of-married-couple-hands-man-with-disability-and-his-wife.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=J0VgYa7dz8BFy2vpdY4-SpaaiJjDP-fhdSgFyVUUyJM=" alt="Gentle touch of married couple hands, man with disability and his wife" title="Gentle touch of married couple hands, man with disability and his wife" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="1:1" data-caption="" data-positionx="null" data-positiony="null" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/2169337548/photo/gentle-touch-of-married-couple-hands-man-with-disability-and-his-wife.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=J0VgYa7dz8BFy2vpdY4-SpaaiJjDP-fhdSgFyVUUyJM=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Step Three: Create a Realistic Game Plan</h3>You don’t need a perfect plan. But you do need a next step.Maybe that’s starting the Medicaid application.Maybe it’s documenting care routines and contact info.Maybe it’s just figuring out what supports are already in place.Every family is different. <figure id="figure-4rw1v89z6gmay4n0ak"><img id="4rw1v89z6gmay4n0ak" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/2173223092/photo/african-american-seniors-man-in-wheelchair-play-bocce-ball.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=tPaKIbv0qPtDuoTXtPtGoR2zcwlRt_hKKKmq6RauY60=" alt="African-American seniors, man in wheelchair play bocce ball" title="African-American seniors, man in wheelchair play bocce ball" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="null" data-positiony="null" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/2173223092/photo/african-american-seniors-man-in-wheelchair-play-bocce-ball.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=tPaKIbv0qPtDuoTXtPtGoR2zcwlRt_hKKKmq6RauY60=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>✅ Start Here — Get the Support You Deserve</h3> If you’ve just found yourself in the role of “default caregiver,” you’re not failing. You’re adapting to something big—and you deserve real support.I work with siblings who want to do this well, without losing themselves in the process.📅 I have openings this month for 1:1 strategy sessions focused on sibling caregiving transitions. 👉<a data-mce-href="https://sharrisonconsulting.com/support-for/sibling-caregivers" href="https://sharrisonconsulting.com/support-for/sibling-caregivers"> Click here to schedule yours</a>You don’t have to figure it all out today. You just have to start.<figure id="figure-3unvloxjwrmay5kzid"><img id="3unvloxjwrmay5kzid" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1391247384/photo/mature-adult-female-sits-next-to-her-autistic-brother.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=VUV8cscv0z5_QQGOK1MlRVbUwQPp6Ykbw_nBcMdtzqo=" alt="Mature adult female sits next to her Autistic brother" title="Mature adult female sits next to her Autistic brother" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1391247384/photo/mature-adult-female-sits-next-to-her-autistic-brother.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=VUV8cscv0z5_QQGOK1MlRVbUwQPp6Ykbw_nBcMdtzqo=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Meet Samantha&nbsp;</h3>Samantha Harrison is a disability consultant with over 13 years of experience helping Kentucky families navigate Medicaid waivers, hire caregivers through Participant-Directed Services (PDS), and build care steams that actually work.She’s on a mission to help families who are being left to manage complex systems alone—facing long waitlists, confusing rules, and impossible decisions without enough support. And with new Medicaid cuts looming, the stakes have never been higher.Samantha offers hands-on, personalized support to help families get clear answers, take action, and create sustainable solutions—without getting lost in the red tape. If you’re ready for real help, you’re in the right place.<a data-mce-href="sharrisonconsulting.com" href="sharrisonconsulting.com">Connect with Samantha&nbsp;</a><figure id="figure-qncyf4k8samay23i17" class=""><img id="qncyf4k8samay23i17" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/24lyCDqnRLPMXuzc4uXRPnQSR8r4sGbnZ6rEygCJNPfpnncSXymwjpAt5XzUPYL8.jpg" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: undefined undefined;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="1:1" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/24lyCDqnRLPMXuzc4uXRPnQSR8r4sGbnZ6rEygCJNPfpnncSXymwjpAt5XzUPYL8.jpg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: undefined undefined;"></figure>

When It Lands on You: Sibling Caregiving Realities

<h3>You Won’t Be Here Forever. And You Know It.</h3>I’m Samantha Harrison. Behind every Medicaid waiver and disability policy is &nbsp;a family fighting for their loved one’s future. This space is about truth, courage, and clarity—giving you tools, hope, and a steady voice when everything feels like too much.<h3>A mother in her seventies called me last week.</h3> She’s been caring for her adult son with disabilities his whole life.But now, her own health is changing. And she’s terrified.She told me...<blockquote>I thought I had more time. But my body is saying otherwise.</blockquote>She has no idea who will step in. Her other children live far away. She doesn’t know what services are available, who to call, or how to even begin.<figure id="figure-mjhru899womay2gjdl"><img id="mjhru899womay2gjdl" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1313401233/photo/adult-man-portrait-with-a-down-syndrome-photo-series.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=4s2237JQ9EuBK_vOwU3ui0YsyG1X5Jwy4KXtcv6mxhw=" alt="Adult Man Portrait with a Down Syndrome Photo Series" title="Adult Man Portrait with a Down Syndrome Photo Series" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="null" data-positiony="null" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1313401233/photo/adult-man-portrait-with-a-down-syndrome-photo-series.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=4s2237JQ9EuBK_vOwU3ui0YsyG1X5Jwy4KXtcv6mxhw=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Here’s the truth:</h3>There’s no emergency system that automatically picks up where you left off with managing, paperwork, daily care, or long-term needs.It falls on whoever is left.Usually a sibling. A niece. Or no one.👉 That’s why I help families prepare before a crisis hits. <figure id="figure-69demg6wqbmay2gomp"><img id="69demg6wqbmay2gomp" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1405303816/photo/portrait-of-father-and-psychomotor-intellectual-disability-daughter-sitting-on-the-sofa-at.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=y_9PKgoOFfFanV_xY_AuyVKx8UUMoPn-mXUXozkMrkg=" alt="Portrait of father and psychomotor Intellectual disability daughter sitting on the sofa at home" title="Portrait of father and psychomotor Intellectual disability daughter sitting on the sofa at home" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="null" data-positiony="null" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1405303816/photo/portrait-of-father-and-psychomotor-intellectual-disability-daughter-sitting-on-the-sofa-at.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=y_9PKgoOFfFanV_xY_AuyVKx8UUMoPn-mXUXozkMrkg=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>💡 What We Can Do Together</h3> Whether you're just starting to think about the future or already facing the signs that it's time to prepare, here's what we’ll tackle in our session:<ul><li>Identify who could step in and how to prepare them</li><li>Outline what Medicaid services can and cannot do</li><li>Build a written roadmap that brings peace of mind</li><li>Explore alternatives that protect your loved one’s future</li><li>Take small steps that make a huge difference later</li></ul><figure id="figure-dhfzskpzmmay2guh3"><img id="dhfzskpzmmay2guh3" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1164358693/photo/disabled-man-works-in-the-garden.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=SbNnluAwzANvTOyxOvXQ_hVUF4eg3Iz3cZo29z1zxqM=" alt="Disabled man works in the garden" title="Disabled man works in the garden" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="null" data-positiony="null" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1164358693/photo/disabled-man-works-in-the-garden.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=SbNnluAwzANvTOyxOvXQ_hVUF4eg3Iz3cZo29z1zxqM=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>✅ Start Here — Your First Step Matters</h3> I offer a focused session just for aging parents ready to face the future with clarity and a plan.📅 I have 2 openings this month for private strategy sessions.&nbsp;👉<a data-mce-href="https://sharrisonconsulting.com/support-for/future-planning-disabled-adults-parents" href="https://sharrisonconsulting.com/support-for/future-planning-disabled-adults-parents"> Click here to schedule yours.</a>You don’t have to figure this out alone. You just have to start. <figure id="figure-mzi2p4e5wtmay2gz1z"><img id="mzi2p4e5wtmay2gz1z" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1312864140/photo/autistic-man-and-caretaker.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=G8qgXtphlmnlBGh99QVhpwKHC6NFIfAclEpIxttaFiI=" alt="Autistic man and caretaker" title="Autistic man and caretaker" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="1:1" data-caption="" data-positionx="null" data-positiony="null" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1312864140/photo/autistic-man-and-caretaker.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=G8qgXtphlmnlBGh99QVhpwKHC6NFIfAclEpIxttaFiI=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: center center;"></figure> Meet Samantha&nbsp;Samantha Harrison is a disability consultant with over 13 years of experience helping Kentucky families navigate Medicaid waivers, hire caregivers through Participant-Directed Services (PDS), and build care steams that actually work.She’s on a mission to help families who are being left to manage complex systems alone—facing long waitlists, confusing rules, and impossible decisions without enough support. And with new Medicaid cuts looming, the stakes have never been higher.Samantha offers hands-on, personalized support to help families get clear answers, take action, and create sustainable solutions—without getting lost in the red tape. If you’re ready for real help, you’re in the right place.<a data-mce-href="sharrisonconsulting.com" href="sharrisonconsulting.com">Connect with Samantha&nbsp;</a><figure id="figure-qncyf4k8samay23i17"><img id="qncyf4k8samay23i17" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/24lyCDqnRLPMXuzc4uXRPnQSR8r4sGbnZ6rEygCJNPfpnncSXymwjpAt5XzUPYL8.jpg" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: undefined undefined;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="1:1" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/24lyCDqnRLPMXuzc4uXRPnQSR8r4sGbnZ6rEygCJNPfpnncSXymwjpAt5XzUPYL8.jpg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: undefined undefined;"></figure>

You Won’t Be Here Forever. And You Know It.

<figure id="figure-uzwnr9fs3jmao3n268" class=""><img id="uzwnr9fs3jmao3n268" src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1646315416699-d9ac443c1d5e?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwyMXx8cHJvYmxlbSUyMHNvbHZlfGVufDB8fHx8MTcwNjMyOTA5M3ww&amp;ixlib=rb-4.0.3&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" alt="a neon sign that says houston we have a rocket on it" title="a neon sign that says houston we have a rocket on it" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: 45% 35%;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="45%" data-positiony="35%" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1646315416699-d9ac443c1d5e?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwyMXx8cHJvYmxlbSUyMHNvbHZlfGVufDB8fHx8MTcwNjMyOTA5M3ww&amp;ixlib=rb-4.0.3&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: 45% 35%;"></figure><h3>🆘 15,000+ Kentuckians with disabilities are on a waitlist for critical life support services.</h3>I’m Samantha Harrison. Behind every Medicaid waiver and disability policy is &nbsp;a family fighting for their loved one’s future. This space is about truth, courage, and clarity—giving you tools, hope, and a steady voice when everything feels like too much.<h3>The news says Medicaid cuts are about “saving money.” </h3>But here’s what that actually looks like:A teenager with autism loses their caregiver overnight. Now, mom can’t go to work.A 74-year-old man with paralysis sits in his apartment for 12 hours with no help to use the bathroom and develops bed sores costing 💵THOUSANDS 💵in medical bills.&nbsp;A young adult with a developmental disability is placed in a nursing home—costing 💰MILLIONS💰 more over their lifetime than if they were supported in their own home. 💸 THOUSANDS in avoidable ER visits. 💰 MILLIONS wasted on crisis care.That’s the real cost. It doesn’t save money. It shifts the financial burden of care services, takes people out of the workforce, and increases the healtcare costs.&nbsp;<figure id="figure-x9ukxnoph9mao5p3dh"><img id="x9ukxnoph9mao5p3dh" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1405303816/photo/portrait-of-father-and-psychomotor-intellectual-disability-daughter-sitting-on-the-sofa-at.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=y_9PKgoOFfFanV_xY_AuyVKx8UUMoPn-mXUXozkMrkg=" alt="Portrait of father and psychomotor Intellectual disability daughter sitting on the sofa at home" title="Portrait of father and psychomotor Intellectual disability daughter sitting on the sofa at home" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="null" data-positiony="null" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1405303816/photo/portrait-of-father-and-psychomotor-intellectual-disability-daughter-sitting-on-the-sofa-at.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=y_9PKgoOFfFanV_xY_AuyVKx8UUMoPn-mXUXozkMrkg=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3> What’s Being Lost Isn’t Luxury. It’s the Basics.</h3> Right now in Kentucky, more than 15,000 people are stuck on waitlists or have recently lost the services they need just to get through the day:🚪 Getting out of bed🍳 Preparing a meal🛁 Bathing or toileting💊 Taking medications🧹 Keeping their home safe and livable🚗 Making it to doctor appointments🛍️ Grocery shopping or managing money<figure id="figure-ad4k5p2s2dmao5p7k6"><img id="ad4k5p2s2dmao5p7k6" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/2154824661/photo/man-and-friend-with-disability-around-the-university.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=43bci6nwUnN2XTG7CvC3RZQCh_yaLMeNyBJRXjbtIQg=" alt="Man and friend with disability around the university" title="Man and friend with disability around the university" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="null" data-positiony="null" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/2154824661/photo/man-and-friend-with-disability-around-the-university.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=43bci6nwUnN2XTG7CvC3RZQCh_yaLMeNyBJRXjbtIQg=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3> What’s Really Happening Behind the Scenes:</h3> 🧓 Nearly 4,000 seniors and adults with physical disabilities are waiting for home and community-based services, many living alone, without reliable care.👶 Over 10,000 children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) are on the waitlist, with an average wait time of 10 years.🏠 Around 4,000 adults with IDD need residential services, but most won’t qualify until a caregiver dies or there’s an emergency.⚠️ Thousands of children with autism were placed on a waiver not designed for them and now they’re being cut off without warning, leaving families scrambling.<figure id="figure-ozyoujj63pmao5pbro"><img id="ozyoujj63pmao5pbro" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1248708457/photo/female-home-carer-supporting-old-woman-to-stand-up-from-the-sofa-at-care-home.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=nNCutuIGSSU4IFSVGxJQPd0pmwRhKsVTs4OJ9ZtnQ3s=" alt="Female home carer supporting old woman to stand up from the sofa at care home" title="Female home carer supporting old woman to stand up from the sofa at care home" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="null" data-positiony="null" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1248708457/photo/female-home-carer-supporting-old-woman-to-stand-up-from-the-sofa-at-care-home.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=nNCutuIGSSU4IFSVGxJQPd0pmwRhKsVTs4OJ9ZtnQ3s=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3> Think Medicaid Cuts Don’t Affect You? Think Again.</h3>This isn’t just a disability issue. It’s already changing your world:💼 Your coworker quits because their child lost care. 🕒 Your doctor, mechanic, or server is out indefinitely—caring for a parent. 🏪 Your favorite local shop reduces hours because they can’t keep staff. 🚫 The workforce shrinks. Businesses lose revenue. 🧓 Your parent needs home care—but the waiver’s been cut.These aren’t hypotheticals.&nbsp; It’s happening everywhere.<figure id="figure-8150c2mbepmao5pfzs"><img id="8150c2mbepmao5pfzs" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/2169337548/photo/gentle-touch-of-married-couple-hands-man-with-disability-and-his-wife.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=J0VgYa7dz8BFy2vpdY4-SpaaiJjDP-fhdSgFyVUUyJM=" alt="Gentle touch of married couple hands, man with disability and his wife" title="Gentle touch of married couple hands, man with disability and his wife" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: 50% 40%;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="50%" data-positiony="40%" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/2169337548/photo/gentle-touch-of-married-couple-hands-man-with-disability-and-his-wife.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=J0VgYa7dz8BFy2vpdY4-SpaaiJjDP-fhdSgFyVUUyJM=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: 50% 40%;"></figure><h3> What Families Are Facing Isn’t Sustainable</h3>While the system delays, families are forced to carry full-time caregiving without:🩺 Pay, training, or backup 🧾 Legal or case management support 🔁 A stable team of caregivers ❌ Notice when services disappear<h3> The cost?</h3>💸 Parents leave the workforce💸 Siblings drain savings💸 Emergency room visits replace early supports💸 Families spend more, earn less, and burn out fasterAnd when families are pushed to the edge, everyone feels the impact—from workforce shortages to lost productivity to increased demand on emergency services.“Samantha helped me avoid pitfalls and consolidate the various parts of the waiver application into a complete package. She saved me lots of time by being so knowledgeable about the work itself and the process involved. The support we received was worth far more than our investment.” &nbsp;— A Mother<figure id="figure-2ei3bs1oycmao5pouv"><img id="2ei3bs1oycmao5pouv" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/2166332466/photo/patient-knitting-lesson.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=LM1psaCaoVcUcODzg9qgx-UZ6zO-_VReY2F5rorrFDk=" alt="Patient Knitting Lesson" title="Patient Knitting Lesson" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="null" data-positiony="null" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/2166332466/photo/patient-knitting-lesson.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=LM1psaCaoVcUcODzg9qgx-UZ6zO-_VReY2F5rorrFDk=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>The Waitlist Is Long—But the Real Wait Is for a Crisis</h3> Most families think, “Once something serious happens, we’ll get help.” But that’s not how this works.Crises happen every day:🚨 A parent has a stroke 🚨 A child is pulled from school 🚨 A caregiver quits with no notice 🚨 A family misses one paycheck—and it all unravelsEven then, they’re told: “You’re still on the waitlist.”This isn’t a care system. It’s a delay system. And delay? Costs more. <figure id="figure-3lx5te1x6fmb0sqs1t"><img id="3lx5te1x6fmb0sqs1t" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3> &nbsp;The Waitlist Is Long—But the Real Wait Is for a Crisis</h3>People assume that once something serious happens, then help arrives. &nbsp;But here’s the truth:Crises happen every day:<ul><li>A parent has a stroke</li><li>A caregiver quits with no notice</li><li>A child ends up in the ER after months without support</li><li>A young adult is removed from school because of short staffing</li><li>A family is one missed paycheck from collapse</li></ul>And still—no help. Most programs don’t have an emergency fast track.&nbsp;Even in a crisis, families are told: “You’re still on the waitlist.”This isn’t a system of care. &nbsp;It’s a system of delay, crisis, and damage control.And damage control? Costs more.💸 The ambulance ride 💸 The ER visit 💸 The lost income 💸 The caregiver burnout 💸 The missed early intervention that becomes a lifelong need<figure id="figure-yqda7o5ifmao5q2sy"><img id="yqda7o5ifmao5q2sy" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/505691822/photo/working-together-with-disability.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=-tGdJplNWe4V0vHbARgQOM8UAgUif6JtwPF0JqIqmoI=" alt="Working together with disability." title="Working together with disability." class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="null" data-positiony="null" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/505691822/photo/working-together-with-disability.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=-tGdJplNWe4V0vHbARgQOM8UAgUif6JtwPF0JqIqmoI=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>How YOU can help. In just 30 seconds!&nbsp;</h3>The House just passed something called the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1). Yes—that’s its actual name. 🙄This bill includes cuts that would gut Medicaid and disability services as we know them.It’s now headed to the Senate. You can stop it.📣 Contact your senator today and tell them: Do not pass H.R. 1. 👉<a data-mce-href="https://www.ancor.org/actions/preserve-i-dd-services-tell-congress-protect-medicaid/" href="https://www.ancor.org/actions/preserve-i-dd-services-tell-congress-protect-medicaid/"> https://www.ancor.org/actions/preserve-i-dd-services-tell-congress-protect-medicaid/</a>Your voice matters—and it’s needed right now.<img id="h1alo255qbmao5q7la" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1384600268/photo/cheerful-young-down-syndrome-waiter-taking-contactless-smartphone-payment-from-costumer-in.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=Asb3liFgRBaD9YFKCjhQJWzTCFSRxDTKGO8QGL-4S5c=" alt="Cheerful young Down Syndrome waiter taking contactless smartphone payment from costumer in take away restaurant." title="Cheerful young Down Syndrome waiter taking contactless smartphone payment from costumer in take away restaurant." class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="null" data-positiony="null" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1384600268/photo/cheerful-young-down-syndrome-waiter-taking-contactless-smartphone-payment-from-costumer-in.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=Asb3liFgRBaD9YFKCjhQJWzTCFSRxDTKGO8QGL-4S5c=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"><h3>🛠️ You Deserve a Better Way</h3>If you’re in this—stuck, stretched, scared—you’re not alone. Real help doesn’t mean more pamphlets. It means hands-on support.Here’s what real help looks like:✔️ Know which waivers apply and how to apply ✔️ Find out if your crisis qualifies for a fast track ✔️ Learn how to recruit and keep reliable caregivers ✔️ Get support with housing, benefits, and legal prep ✔️ Create a system that works even if you can’t do it ✔️ Get a partner—not a checklist <figure id="figure-0sdu9kc0gcmao5qen5"><img id="0sdu9kc0gcmao5qen5" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1313401295/photo/adult-man-portrait-with-a-down-syndrome-photo-series.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=nK1MZn6rsYx47jpYxKhl7IgSRVSmwNWL0hk494dEprc=" alt="Adult Man Portrait with a Down Syndrome Photo Series" title="Adult Man Portrait with a Down Syndrome Photo Series" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="null" data-positiony="null" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1313401295/photo/adult-man-portrait-with-a-down-syndrome-photo-series.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=nK1MZn6rsYx47jpYxKhl7IgSRVSmwNWL0hk494dEprc=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3> Get the Help You Deserve</h3><h3>This isn’t your fault. But it is your move.</h3>If you’re ready for support that’s strategic, personalized, and built around what actually works.&nbsp;You don’t have to do it alone.<a data-mce-href="sharrisonconsulting.com" href="sharrisonconsulting.com">👉 Click here to take the first step.</a><h3>Meet Samantha&nbsp;</h3> Samantha Harrison is a disability consultant with over 13 years of experience helping Kentucky families navigate Medicaid waivers, hire caregivers through Participant-Directed Services (PDS), and build care steams that actually work.She’s on a mission to help families who are being left to manage complex systems alone—facing long waitlists, confusing rules, and impossible decisions without enough support. And with new Medicaid cuts looming, the stakes have never been higher.Samantha offers hands-on, personalized support to help families get clear answers, take action, and create sustainable solutions—without getting lost in the red tape. If you’re ready for real help, you’re in the right place.<a data-mce-href="https://sharrisonconsulting.com/" href="https://sharrisonconsulting.com/">Connect with Samantha&nbsp;</a><figure id="figure-l5fxv4a0jkmao5qk60" class=""><img id="l5fxv4a0jkmao5qk60" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/24lyCDqnRLPMXuzc4uXRPnQSR8r4sGbnZ6rEygCJNPfpnncSXymwjpAt5XzUPYL8.jpg" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: undefined undefined;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="1:1" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/24lyCDqnRLPMXuzc4uXRPnQSR8r4sGbnZ6rEygCJNPfpnncSXymwjpAt5XzUPYL8.jpg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: undefined undefined;"></figure>

Life Support Is Failing: The Medicaid Crisis Already Affects Everyone You Know

<h3>Meet Lilly</h3>Lily had been on the waiting list for Kentucky disability services for years. Her dad was getting older, and there wasn’t a backup plan for who would take over when he no longer could. As an adult, she needed a residential level of support, but she couldn’t access it.When her father’s health began to decline, the situation became painfully clear. If something happened to him before she received services, she could be pushed into a mental health crisis that led straight to institutional care. It was a possibility he feared every day.<figure id="figure-rnxz7dl8xamaze8v2l" class=""><img id="rnxz7dl8xamaze8v2l" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1405303816/photo/portrait-of-father-and-psychomotor-intellectual-disability-daughter-sitting-on-the-sofa-at.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=y_9PKgoOFfFanV_xY_AuyVKx8UUMoPn-mXUXozkMrkg=" alt="Portrait of father and psychomotor Intellectual disability daughter sitting on the sofa at home" title="Portrait of father and psychomotor Intellectual disability daughter sitting on the sofa at home" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: undefined undefined;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1405303816/photo/portrait-of-father-and-psychomotor-intellectual-disability-daughter-sitting-on-the-sofa-at.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=y_9PKgoOFfFanV_xY_AuyVKx8UUMoPn-mXUXozkMrkg=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: undefined undefined;"></figure><h3>A System That Moves Too Slowly</h3>Lily needed more than a "placement". She needed time to adjust, support to build skills, and a transition plan that respected how she learned best. Her life had always been shaped by self-direction and individualized support. But after years on a waitlist and a rapid shift in her father’s health, they were running out of time.Their questions kept growing heavier:What happens if her father can no longer care for her? Would she have to wait until he passed away before qualifying? Was there any way to avoid a crisis that everyone could see coming? <img id="b9f45y2bimaze9b8s" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" title="Psychomotor Intellectual disability daughter greeting father at home" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1405303157/photo/psychomotor-intellectual-disability-daughter-greeting-father-at-home.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=GUPQNvBsm34LB5dpNg6UMTlsmuuGmn3lcTamgEgRWKI=" alt="Psychomotor Intellectual disability daughter greeting father at home" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="null" data-positiony="null" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1405303157/photo/psychomotor-intellectual-disability-daughter-greeting-father-at-home.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=GUPQNvBsm34LB5dpNg6UMTlsmuuGmn3lcTamgEgRWKI=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"><h3>Searching for Options&nbsp;</h3>Her father did everything possible to help her live a good life.&nbsp; He stayed on top of the forms. He explored private-pay services, even though very few were within reach. He checked her waitlist status every year, hoping for movement.Nothing changed.Eventually, he reached out for help to figure out whether he had missed anything.<figure id="figure-5t3teblbymaze9scx"><img id="5t3teblbymaze9scx" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1405303762/photo/father-and-psychomotor-intellectual-disability-daughter-having-breakfast-at-home.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=zoxGXtwSjzHCissvX0sHMVN5gz2NJYgd46R8PYny84c=" alt="Father and psychomotor Intellectual disability daughter having breakfast at home" title="Father and psychomotor Intellectual disability daughter having breakfast at home" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="null" data-positiony="null" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1405303762/photo/father-and-psychomotor-intellectual-disability-daughter-having-breakfast-at-home.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=zoxGXtwSjzHCissvX0sHMVN5gz2NJYgd46R8PYny84c=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>The Misunderstanding That Stops Too Many Families</h3>As we talked through his declining concerns, it became clear that he was no longer able to provide the quality of support Lily need to be healthy, safe, and well. Because he was no longer physically able to meet her needs, Lilly did qualify for emergency residential services. He had been told something that many families hear: that a person only qualifies after a parent passes away.That is not accurate.If the primary caregiver’s health is declining and there is no one else who can safely step in, the adult with developmental disabilities may qualify for emergency services while the caregiver is still alive. This matters. Families deserve to know this before they are in crisis.<figure id="figure-8nx5qxzuwamazea5iu"><img id="8nx5qxzuwamazea5iu" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1405303668/photo/family-having-breakfast-at-home-including-a-psychomotor-intellectual-disability-girl.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=mdN6vXzN2J35P5qJWmRGjvE_fuo-9WTi2C42ZstHDAc=" alt="Family having breakfast at home - including a psychomotor Intellectual disability girl" title="Family having breakfast at home - including a psychomotor Intellectual disability girl" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="null" data-positiony="null" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1405303668/photo/family-having-breakfast-at-home-including-a-psychomotor-intellectual-disability-girl.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=mdN6vXzN2J35P5qJWmRGjvE_fuo-9WTi2C42ZstHDAc=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>What Finally Worked</h3>Once he understood the criteria, we completed the emergency residential application together. By the end of the year, Lily was approved.Today, she is using self-direction to build a support team, developing skills for adulthood, and taking the time she needs to decide whether residential care is right for her. If she chooses to continue self-direction after her father is gone, she will have the structure and support to do that too.Most importantly, her father is still here to help her through each step.They are not waiting for disaster anymore. They are building a future she can grow into.<figure id="figure-yreyd34yfsmi6cu15t"><img id="yreyd34yfsmi6cu15t" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1405304032/photo/father-and-psychomotor-intellectual-disability-daughter-reading-a-book-at-home.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=V8rohPqop-pIPwFIhWUYWTa2uDEYDFATdL0o_sMf1Bs=" alt="Father and psychomotor Intellectual disability daughter reading a book at home" title="Father and psychomotor Intellectual disability daughter reading a book at home" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1405304032/photo/father-and-psychomotor-intellectual-disability-daughter-reading-a-book-at-home.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=V8rohPqop-pIPwFIhWUYWTa2uDEYDFATdL0o_sMf1Bs=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Peace of Mind</h3>For years, Lily and her dad lived in limbo: waiting for services, waiting for clarity, waiting for something to change.Now, they finally have a stable path forward. Instead of bracing for what will happen when he can no longer care for her, they can focus on their time together and make decisions without fear.Many families have heard the same misconception Lily’s father was told. The truth is simple: emergency residential services can sometimes be approved long before a parent passes away. Knowing that can change everything. <h3>About the Author Samantha Harrison</h3>Samantha Harrison is the founder of Momentum Family Strategies™ and a disability services consultant with 13+ years of experience helping Kentucky families access Medicaid waivers, build self-directed support systems, and recruit caregivers who stay.Her work centers on one mission: making sure families aren’t forced to navigate complex systems without support. Too many people are left facing long waitlists, confusing rules, and life-changing decisions without the right support. Samantha founded Momentum to change that.<p style="border-color: #e5e7eb; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-color: rgba(62,172,255,.5); --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-transform: translateX(0) translateY(0) rotate(0) skewX(0) skewY(0) scaleX(1) scaleY(1); --tw-border-opacity: 1; font-size: 18px; line-height: 28px; font-weight: 400; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif;" data-mce-style="border-color: #e5e7eb; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-color: rgba(62,172,255,.5); --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-transform: translateX(0) translateY(0) rotate(0) skewX(0) skewY(0) scaleX(1) scaleY(1); --tw-border-opacity: 1; font-size: 18px; line-height: 28px; font-weight: 400; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif;"><img id="qncyf4k8samay23i17" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/24lyCDqnRLPMXuzc4uXRPnQSR8r4sGbnZ6rEygCJNPfpnncSXymwjpAt5XzUPYL8.jpg" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" data-corners="default" data-aspect="1:1" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/24lyCDqnRLPMXuzc4uXRPnQSR8r4sGbnZ6rEygCJNPfpnncSXymwjpAt5XzUPYL8.jpg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: undefined undefined;" style="border-color: rgb(229, 231, 235); --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-pan-x: ; --tw-pan-y: ; --tw-pinch-zoom: ; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-gradient-from-position: ; --tw-gradient-via-position: ; --tw-gradient-to-position: ; --tw-ordinal: ; --tw-slashed-zero: ; --tw-numeric-figure: ; --tw-numeric-spacing: ; --tw-numeric-fraction: ; --tw-ring-inset: ; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-color: rgba(62,172,255,.5); --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-blur: ; --tw-brightness: ; --tw-contrast: ; --tw-grayscale: ; --tw-hue-rotate: ; --tw-invert: ; --tw-saturate: ; --tw-sepia: ; --tw-drop-shadow: ; --tw-backdrop-blur: ; --tw-backdrop-brightness: ; --tw-backdrop-contrast: ; --tw-backdrop-grayscale: ; --tw-backdrop-hue-rotate: ; --tw-backdrop-invert: ; --tw-backdrop-opacity: ; --tw-backdrop-saturate: ; --tw-backdrop-sepia: ; --tw-transform: translateX(0) translateY(0) rotate(0) skewX(0) skewY(0) scaleX(1) scaleY(1); --tw-border-opacity: 1; --tw-filter: ; --tw-backdrop-filter: ; --tw-bg-opacity: 1; background-color: rgb(243, 244, 246); width: 640px; margin: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; caret-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); aspect-ratio: 1 / 1;"><h3>Meet the Team Behind Momentum</h3>At Momentum Family Strategies™, we help siblings and aging parents navigate Life After Mom &amp; Dad™—bringing clarity, steady guidance, and practical next steps to families who’ve been trying to hold everything together alone.<h3>How Momentum Helps</h3>Our approach blends strategic navigation, hands-on support, and practical problem-solving so families can:<ul><li>Get straight answers instead of mixed messages</li><li>Move forward with confidence instead of crisis</li><li>Build support systems that last—before something urgent happens</li><li>When the stakes are high, families deserve more than Google searches and guesswork. You deserve a partner.</li></ul><h3>Connect With Momentum</h3> If you’re ready for steady guidance, clearer options, and support that moves your family forward, we’d love to connect.<figure id="figure-jttq88k97mi6d149x"><img id="jttq88k97mi6d149x" src="https://cdn.durable.co/logos/2etBAtmodpXPhcWl497sIUrLZpicekReRBGyVqaeHk5A23H605o8QE3evq9cgLn7.png" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/logos/2etBAtmodpXPhcWl497sIUrLZpicekReRBGyVqaeHk5A23H605o8QE3evq9cgLn7.png" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure>

Do My Parents Have to Die Before I Get Services? How Lily and Her Father Secured the Support She Needed

For many adults with developmental disabilities, parents are more than just family—they are caregivers, advocates, and the foundation of daily life. But what happens when they’re gone?For siblings, extended family, and close friends stepping into a caregiving role, this transition can feel overwhelming. Questions about housing, daily support, medical care, and long-term planning can arise all at once. Unfortunately, many families find themselves navigating this process during a crisis, without clear guidance on where to turn.If you are in this situation—or know someone who is—you are not alone. There are resources and support systems available to help.<h3> </h3><figure id="figure-355ck5b86im8d984l6"><img id="355ck5b86im8d984l6" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/2185442410/photo/sister-and-brother-with-autism.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=gZBZUu92csTRMYjWgT8bEgO6Ln-2qg0XlsVJUuVSy4k=" alt="Sister and brother with Autism" title="Sister and brother with Autism" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="null" data-positiony="null" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/2185442410/photo/sister-and-brother-with-autism.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=gZBZUu92csTRMYjWgT8bEgO6Ln-2qg0XlsVJUuVSy4k=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3> The Biggest Challenges Families Face</h3> When a parent who has been the primary caregiver passes away or becomes unable to provide care, their adult child may suddenly face:🔹 Uncertainty about where to live – Can they stay in the family home? If not, what are the options? 🔹 Loss of daily support – Who will assist with personal care, transportation, and decision-making? 🔹 Changes in services and benefits – How do they maintain Medicaid services and other supports? 🔹 The emotional impact of losing their strongest advocate – Who will step in to help navigate the system?These challenges can feel overwhelming, especially when combined with the grief and stress of losing a loved one. The good news is that there are systems in place to help individuals maintain stability and independence—but knowing how to access them is key.&nbsp;<figure id="figure-8bs3hrycjm8d987kp"><img id="8bs3hrycjm8d987kp" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/2173223092/photo/african-american-seniors-man-in-wheelchair-play-bocce-ball.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=tPaKIbv0qPtDuoTXtPtGoR2zcwlRt_hKKKmq6RauY60=" alt="African-American seniors, man in wheelchair play bocce ball" title="African-American seniors, man in wheelchair play bocce ball" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="null" data-positiony="null" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/2173223092/photo/african-american-seniors-man-in-wheelchair-play-bocce-ball.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=tPaKIbv0qPtDuoTXtPtGoR2zcwlRt_hKKKmq6RauY60=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3> Understanding the Supports for Community Living (SCL) Waiver</h3> One of the most important resources available in Kentucky is the Supports for Community Living (SCL) waiver. This program provides services that help adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities live as independently as possible.Some of the key services available through the SCL waiver include: ✅ Help with daily living tasks (bathing, dressing, meal preparation) ✅ Caregiver support and personal assistance ✅ Residential options and housing support ✅ Day programs and job trainingFor individuals whose parents have passed away or can no longer provide care, the SCL waiver’s emergency criteria may allow them to qualify for immediate services—ensuring they don’t lose access to the care and stability they need.<h3> </h3><figure id="figure-e6gub4tckm8d98dfx"><img id="e6gub4tckm8d98dfx" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1405303813/photo/portrait-of-father-and-psychomotor-intellectual-disability-daughter-sitting-on-the-sofa-at.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=7PxqfEOL6_egxBr-SCglw6Ke8HS3PiFQFpYfKeOGgYI=" alt="Portrait of father and psychomotor Intellectual disability daughter sitting on the sofa at home" title="Portrait of father and psychomotor Intellectual disability daughter sitting on the sofa at home" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="null" data-positiony="null" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1405303813/photo/portrait-of-father-and-psychomotor-intellectual-disability-daughter-sitting-on-the-sofa-at.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=7PxqfEOL6_egxBr-SCglw6Ke8HS3PiFQFpYfKeOGgYI=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3> Where to Start: Next Steps for Families</h3> If you are stepping in to support a loved one after a parent’s passing, here are some first steps to consider:📌 Confirm Medicaid Eligibility &amp; Services – If they are not already receiving Medicaid waiver services, applying as soon as possible is crucial. The SCL waiver can help provide essential care.📌 Assess Housing &amp; Support Needs – Will they need in-home support, a caregiver, or a new living arrangement?📌 Connect with a Case Manager or Advocate – Navigating these systems can be complex. Working with an expert who understands self-direction and Medicaid waivers can make the process much easier.📌 Have Conversations About Their Wishes – If they are able to express their preferences, involving them in decisions about their future is important.Every family’s situation is unique, and there is no “one-size-fits-all” solution—but the key is to start early, ask for help, and take it one step at a time.<h3> </h3><figure id="figure-orkc8y2m4km8d98hbn"><img id="orkc8y2m4km8d98hbn" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/2130791200/photo/adult-autistic-male-with-worried-expression.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=vRaA1fa3I18cQ4YL0foWmfFDxOPy41M6JRkPQVbUQuw=" alt="Adult autistic male with worried expression" title="Adult autistic male with worried expression" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="null" data-positiony="null" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/2130791200/photo/adult-autistic-male-with-worried-expression.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=vRaA1fa3I18cQ4YL0foWmfFDxOPy41M6JRkPQVbUQuw=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3> You Don’t Have to Navigate This Alone</h3>If you’re trying to figure out what comes next for a loved one with a developmental disability, you don’t have to do it alone. I specialize in helping families navigate this transition—making sure your loved one gets the care, stability, and support they need.💬 <a data-mce-href="sharrisonconsulting.com" href="sharrisonconsulting.com">Schedule a free consultation today </a>to get personalized guidance and next steps. Click here to connect with me.Let’s take the next step—together.&nbsp; <figure id="figure-jv7k2tgbtcm8d8tcot"><img id="jv7k2tgbtcm8d8tcot" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/12ZLeaBzix8OgLSpUXF98opcZ1n5WGdYO1J6XuZ0eVgL8LcZ8HR7kiyyzxYDL3RE.jpg" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: undefined undefined;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="1:1" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/12ZLeaBzix8OgLSpUXF98opcZ1n5WGdYO1J6XuZ0eVgL8LcZ8HR7kiyyzxYDL3RE.jpg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: undefined undefined;"></figure> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

“Our Parents Are Gone—Now What?” Navigating Life After a Parent for Adults with Developmental Disabilities

<h2>How Aging Parents and Siblings Can Find Support for Their Loved One Today</h2><h3> You’re exhausted—caring for your disabled loved one while your body reminds you that you’re not 40 anymore.</h3>&nbsp;The Medicaid waiver waitlist drags on, your to-do list never ends, and the disability care system you thought would help…doesn’t.&nbsp;You’re running on fumes, but you can’t stop—because no one else will step in.&nbsp;What happens when you can’t do it anymore?&nbsp;Your parents can’t care for your sibling anymore. Now what?&nbsp;Most families don't know—there's someone who can help figure this out.&nbsp;It's not a secret, but it feels like one. Here’s how:&nbsp;<figure id="figure-8806gc56e8m77yhhzw"><img id="8806gc56e8m77yhhzw" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1391247384/photo/mature-adult-female-sits-next-to-her-autistic-brother.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=VUV8cscv0z5_QQGOK1MlRVbUwQPp6Ykbw_nBcMdtzqo=" alt="Mature adult female sits next to her Autistic brother" title="Mature adult female sits next to her Autistic brother" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: undefined undefined;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1391247384/photo/mature-adult-female-sits-next-to-her-autistic-brother.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=VUV8cscv0z5_QQGOK1MlRVbUwQPp6Ykbw_nBcMdtzqo=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: undefined undefined;"></figure><h2>&nbsp;💡 3 Ways to Get Support—Without Waiting on the Waiver:</h2><h3> 1. Build Natural Supports and Use Community Resources:</h3> You shouldn’t have to carry the load alone. There are resources and people who can support you: ✔️ Invite family and friends to be part of your loved one’s support team ✔️ Caregiver relief programs from your local Area Development District ✔️ Join caregiver support groups to connect with others who understand your journeyCreating a strong support network can ease your burden—and help is closer than you think. <figure id="figure-7icignlj8m77yi9h4"><img id="7icignlj8m77yi9h4" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/2166332466/photo/patient-knitting-lesson.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=LM1psaCaoVcUcODzg9qgx-UZ6zO-_VReY2F5rorrFDk=" alt="Patient Knitting Lesson" title="Patient Knitting Lesson" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="null" data-positiony="null" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/2166332466/photo/patient-knitting-lesson.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=LM1psaCaoVcUcODzg9qgx-UZ6zO-_VReY2F5rorrFDk=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3> 2. Explore Waiver Service Options (Even If You’ve Been Denied Before):</h3> If the primary caregiver is experiencing a physical or mental health decline, your family may qualify for waiver services—even if you were denied before or are on a waitlist.&nbsp;Waiver programs may help you: ✔️ Get respite care to prevent burnout ✔️ Access in-home care services - no group home required&nbsp; ✔️ Help your loved one choose who helps them and live their best life&nbsp;Don’t assume you’re ineligible— help may be available when your situation shifts.<figure id="figure-pgrgwygrhm77yif5c"><img id="pgrgwygrhm77yif5c" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/639163366/photo/loving-family-daughters-with-down-syndrome-at-home.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=a6IfA6oN9G_HgTs4LcRsgkr1WnxJPmcx_2RnZ536qtk=" alt="Loving family, daughters with down syndrome, at home" title="Loving family, daughters with down syndrome, at home" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="null" data-positiony="null" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/639163366/photo/loving-family-daughters-with-down-syndrome-at-home.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=a6IfA6oN9G_HgTs4LcRsgkr1WnxJPmcx_2RnZ536qtk=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>&nbsp; 3. Explore Private Pay Services Without Breaking the Bank:</h3> Private pay doesn’t have to mean out of reach. Affordable options exist, such as: ✔️ Disability day centers, some offering private pay rates as low as $12 per hour ✔️ Bartering services with local caregivers or community members ✔️ Live-in caregiver arrangements, offering room and board in exchange for support ✔️ Grants, such as the Hart Supported Living Grant, which helps fund in-home supportsThere are creative ways to find help without draining your savings.<figure id="figure-wqqckn8wghm77yhpu5"><img id="wqqckn8wghm77yhpu5" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1312864133/photo/autistic-man-and-caretaker.jpg?b=1&s=2048x2048&w=0&k=20&c=6f5I4g3AP8fiMwEqJJylMPQhF19W2qzuJ0GYmi_ZLyE=" alt="Autistic man and caretaker" title="Autistic man and caretaker" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionX="null" data-positionY="null" data-fullWidth="false"/></figure><h3>&nbsp; ❤️ You Deserve Help Today—Not ‘Someday’</h3>You’ve carried this weight for so long. It’s time to discover the options that can help you and your loved one today.<h3>Feeling Stuck? Need Support?&nbsp;</h3>Visit <a data-mce-href="sharrisonconsulting.com" href="sharrisonconsulting.com">sharrisonconsulting.com</a> to explore real solutions and resources available TODAY!&nbsp;

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