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<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://cdn.durable.co/getty/23CYTOWan3Xevd0kLhI0CHkQFuBuoZ20nja77rKT2rBBZIobmktIHFqlaif41x6L.jpeg" 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://cdn.durable.co/getty/23CYTOWan3Xevd0kLhI0CHkQFuBuoZ20nja77rKT2rBBZIobmktIHFqlaif41x6L.jpeg" 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://cdn.durable.co/getty/3b8zHzHIwNhLTx9q3x1TCEgP4JWFDAe82nOEFGEtkPWnLzrAuOITuolB25us075Z.jpeg" 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://cdn.durable.co/getty/3b8zHzHIwNhLTx9q3x1TCEgP4JWFDAe82nOEFGEtkPWnLzrAuOITuolB25us075Z.jpeg" 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://cdn.durable.co/getty/acBppfqCW8MDPYhzdsqv7eJegnAYl2PPmNTfEnYU3bDz9gkENxajGh9Er9v7Ka6J.jpeg" 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://cdn.durable.co/getty/acBppfqCW8MDPYhzdsqv7eJegnAYl2PPmNTfEnYU3bDz9gkENxajGh9Er9v7Ka6J.jpeg" 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://cdn.durable.co/getty/6AcWUUU6ANp7c3hb1yXnW6xHtcNBRaWhkdeoaPShzW6LAB91No3TiyJidyV1MUrf.jpeg" 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://cdn.durable.co/getty/6AcWUUU6ANp7c3hb1yXnW6xHtcNBRaWhkdeoaPShzW6LAB91No3TiyJidyV1MUrf.jpeg" 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://cdn.durable.co/getty/aS171P2ska5BKl97kfKHHdWSTTlOyIG7ZZmIeqOAq7AszsvPKPPFRzunNyJifvkm.jpeg" 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://cdn.durable.co/getty/aS171P2ska5BKl97kfKHHdWSTTlOyIG7ZZmIeqOAq7AszsvPKPPFRzunNyJifvkm.jpeg" 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://cdn.durable.co/getty/32ktgnk18Sztmaw0Ib99r3yA6wGPGAwBjdbNstmlfVw2VZRbQYpnAobEz3DgXQWb.jpeg" 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://cdn.durable.co/getty/32ktgnk18Sztmaw0Ib99r3yA6wGPGAwBjdbNstmlfVw2VZRbQYpnAobEz3DgXQWb.jpeg" 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://cdn.durable.co/getty/2e2qeKmbVA81dXywNK1CvpDM3AgL960FsaHismjDn0sb6lN4y3LZCrHT2UwpLPSG.jpeg" 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://cdn.durable.co/getty/2e2qeKmbVA81dXywNK1CvpDM3AgL960FsaHismjDn0sb6lN4y3LZCrHT2UwpLPSG.jpeg" 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://cdn.durable.co/getty/27S5hom4n9UEfkrHH9a0OHQW4i1c8wwkDkOawzNet5kR71ciY5PZBao2kSQtGoRG.jpeg" 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://cdn.durable.co/getty/27S5hom4n9UEfkrHH9a0OHQW4i1c8wwkDkOawzNet5kR71ciY5PZBao2kSQtGoRG.jpeg" 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://cdn.durable.co/getty/23CYTOWan3Xevd0kLhI0CHkQFuBuoZ20nja77rKT2rBBZIobmktIHFqlaif41x6L.jpeg" 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://cdn.durable.co/getty/23CYTOWan3Xevd0kLhI0CHkQFuBuoZ20nja77rKT2rBBZIobmktIHFqlaif41x6L.jpeg" 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://cdn.durable.co/getty/19Kkpdx6isL9XotskJ7pV4ahZM7SKr1Yyz5azpfJQ9tOpg86nXiJaQMhUEa3ROPL.jpeg" 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://cdn.durable.co/getty/19Kkpdx6isL9XotskJ7pV4ahZM7SKr1Yyz5azpfJQ9tOpg86nXiJaQMhUEa3ROPL.jpeg" 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://cdn.durable.co/getty/28tEGTgsPn6EE0qnqIlR6IGJryBrVYVlGLEQRy6bl4BDphJ81JDUQnlv8aini2kh.jpeg" 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://cdn.durable.co/getty/28tEGTgsPn6EE0qnqIlR6IGJryBrVYVlGLEQRy6bl4BDphJ81JDUQnlv8aini2kh.jpeg" 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://cdn.durable.co/getty/32G5ItosLzuF538vqpSPLRVSP27F5MUe7XYC77zuQ0TaqQ4IRRSYWCbshl7w0PGt.jpeg" 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://cdn.durable.co/getty/32G5ItosLzuF538vqpSPLRVSP27F5MUe7XYC77zuQ0TaqQ4IRRSYWCbshl7w0PGt.jpeg" 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://cdn.durable.co/getty/32xwcuFNo0G2yTcrCFA7mFo0y46Kf8ph4sJXprpE8QfD2Ceq7WsjP4YMIuM7U9ho.jpeg" 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://cdn.durable.co/getty/32xwcuFNo0G2yTcrCFA7mFo0y46Kf8ph4sJXprpE8QfD2Ceq7WsjP4YMIuM7U9ho.jpeg" 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://cdn.durable.co/getty/2658LiTq9XeU7CfrGzWbY5Om9ZF00qwD6S73FZbJmvpf0wThoNNdUcBP4jaABP7A.jpeg" 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://cdn.durable.co/getty/2658LiTq9XeU7CfrGzWbY5Om9ZF00qwD6S73FZbJmvpf0wThoNNdUcBP4jaABP7A.jpeg" 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://cdn.durable.co/getty/1eHUcn22Xhs2MECCwrPcGwRPMLbCtCGaLLT40uRQKusUPTrvlxkosCRSnuV9LP4a.jpeg" 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://cdn.durable.co/getty/1eHUcn22Xhs2MECCwrPcGwRPMLbCtCGaLLT40uRQKusUPTrvlxkosCRSnuV9LP4a.jpeg" 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://cdn.durable.co/getty/149HITllr2ohFUpzySanQ3pwZN19pSHKWIGzqFt3gFRyBUWz667JhDVV4GZO3fmZ.jpeg" 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://cdn.durable.co/getty/149HITllr2ohFUpzySanQ3pwZN19pSHKWIGzqFt3gFRyBUWz667JhDVV4GZO3fmZ.jpeg" 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://cdn.durable.co/getty/2e6AmqZGz1FhJ3LBWmn5013NyHKVZxTsYsD0QeKJTCZWjlYlGumkApaRzorRiAIm.jpeg" 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://cdn.durable.co/getty/2e6AmqZGz1FhJ3LBWmn5013NyHKVZxTsYsD0QeKJTCZWjlYlGumkApaRzorRiAIm.jpeg" 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://cdn.durable.co/getty/26m4oENkZZ5DH7lIzX0yztGTeNp5CfUsUieohjT3dpHR2KF48SmIeMjekH62k4t9.jpeg" 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://cdn.durable.co/getty/26m4oENkZZ5DH7lIzX0yztGTeNp5CfUsUieohjT3dpHR2KF48SmIeMjekH62k4t9.jpeg" 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://cdn.durable.co/getty/aS171P2ska5BKl97kfKHHdWSTTlOyIG7ZZmIeqOAq7AszsvPKPPFRzunNyJifvkm.jpeg" 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://cdn.durable.co/getty/aS171P2ska5BKl97kfKHHdWSTTlOyIG7ZZmIeqOAq7AszsvPKPPFRzunNyJifvkm.jpeg" 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://cdn.durable.co/getty/fuUMpCcXiQ2ivpek27migTTgjjwuUcqTlhpkSYv60T87b0MRY3TY3NYMEoJPrahY.jpeg" 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://cdn.durable.co/getty/fuUMpCcXiQ2ivpek27migTTgjjwuUcqTlhpkSYv60T87b0MRY3TY3NYMEoJPrahY.jpeg" 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://cdn.durable.co/getty/25Qb04mHhGhGXrrUrUPKZ2X3dlj91wIeZNKqqY0iQp5ClgfS2B7vQFQR1JbexzOi.jpeg" 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;

Out of Options and Exhausted?

<h3>How Do I Plan for My Adult Child with Disabilities?</h3> Planning for an adult child with disabilities involves four key steps:<ol><li>Exploring Medicaid waivers for in-home care and support services.</li><li>Choosing a housing option, whether in-home support, shared living,&nbsp; an independent setup, a group home or other options.&nbsp;</li><li>Setting up financial protections, such as a special needs trust.</li><li>Hiring and managing caregivers for long-term stability.</li></ol> For parents and siblings of adults with disabilities, planning for the future can feel overwhelming. Whether it's housing, Medicaid waivers, caregiver support, or long-term financial security, making the right choices requires clear guidance and a roadmap.<h3>Step 1: Understanding Long-Term Care Options</h3> Every family must decide how to structure care and independence for their adult child. Key questions to consider:Should we apply for Medicaid waiver services or continue private pay support? Is in-home care the best fit, or should we explore independent living options? How do we ensure financial security with a special needs trust?<figure id="figure-ors4j3xftm6v3lbo7"><img id="ors4j3xftm6v3lbo7" src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/34vAOY7s2ozjhnbdDgKReYPbl9byKbJCWz5z8mZSg1j1u0tAbibY3b8WNuyEKx4X.jpeg" 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: undefined undefined;" 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/getty/34vAOY7s2ozjhnbdDgKReYPbl9byKbJCWz5z8mZSg1j1u0tAbibY3b8WNuyEKx4X.jpeg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: undefined undefined;"></figure><h3> Step 2: Exploring Medicaid &amp; Waiver Services</h3> Many families of older adults with disabilites have never used government-funded disability services, but Medicaid waivers provide key benefits for the future including:✅ Personal Care Services – Help with daily living activities ✅ Respite Care – Giving family caregivers a break ✅ In-Home Support – Hiring caregivers through Medicaid ✅ Employment &amp; Day Programs – Support for independent work and activitiesIf a Medicaid waiver isn't currently an option, there are many other programs and services that&nbsp; can support your loved one.&nbsp;<figure id="figure-8yg7xj13wm6v3lgaq"><img id="8yg7xj13wm6v3lgaq" src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/13xz2KW0OrLlw6hOJlVTj8VLSmGxEsUy6efMqDyX04MLEIeefGx76v3QoWRQrK1b.jpeg" alt="Mothers love" title="Mothers love" 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://cdn.durable.co/getty/13xz2KW0OrLlw6hOJlVTj8VLSmGxEsUy6efMqDyX04MLEIeefGx76v3QoWRQrK1b.jpeg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Step 3: Choosing Housing &amp; In-Home Care Options</h3> Many families consider group homes, but other living arrangements may provide more autonomy and personalized support:<ul><li>Building a Care Team – If your loved one rents or owns their home, or lives with you, you can build a care team to support them at home instead of a group home.&nbsp;</li><li>Shared Living Arrangements – You can match people with disabilities for co-housing, or offering free or reduced rent to a caregiver in exchange for support.&nbsp;</li><li>Supported Apartments – Renting or purchasing an accessible apartment with part-time paid caregiver support, and part time unpaid caregiver support.</li></ul><figure id="figure-sppap2iqtrm6v3lkil"><img id="sppap2iqtrm6v3lkil" src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/20BkPISQ0GlNLPsXljshAdJIioy3fwSl3UeSrSxiPkGhpNV0j1G3S19M5J4a70ic.jpeg" alt="Portrait of a father and his daughter with special needs" title="Portrait of a father and his daughter with special needs" 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://cdn.durable.co/getty/20BkPISQ0GlNLPsXljshAdJIioy3fwSl3UeSrSxiPkGhpNV0j1G3S19M5J4a70ic.jpeg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3> Step 4: Financial &amp; Legal Planning</h3> A special needs trust ensures long-term financial security while protecting eligibility for government benefits. Families should also explore:Supported Decision-Making &amp; Guardianship &nbsp;– Choosing the right level of support Special Needs Trusts – Protects assets while maintaining eligibility for Medicaid and SSI.&nbsp;Social Security Disability (SSDI) &amp; Supplemental Security Income (SSI) – Maximizing benefits ABLE Accounts – Tax-free savings accounts for disability-related expenses <figure id="figure-bkown3ts0qm6v3td0d"><img id="bkown3ts0qm6v3td0d" src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/9sCxgGrS1bvEQtrYaI9XNlZBSurJcJbFBzoJVe7JjRnZxC6hxwmZyVKT1ehs4SLp.jpeg" alt="Young ALS patient with his mom" title="Young ALS patient with his mom" 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"/></figure><h3>Get Expert Guidance on Options for Your Child's Future</h3> Navigating care, housing, and financial decisions doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With the right support, families can create a personalized plan that ensures a secure, fulfilling future for their loved one.<a data-mce-href="sharrisonconsulting.com" href="sharrisonconsulting.com">📅 Explore support options here.</a>

Planning for an Adult Child with Disabilities: Future Care, Housing & Support Options

Hiring a caregiver is one of the most important decisions families make for their loved ones with disabilities. The right caregiver can provide stability, support, and peace of mind. But hiring the wrong person? That can lead to stress, turnover, and even safety concerns.Many families rush into hiring because they feel overwhelmed and desperate for help. Unfortunately, that’s when mistakes happen. Below are the biggest pitfalls families face when hiring a caregiver—and how to avoid them. <figure id="figure-v0zngh2jgrm6r4jwxa"><img id="v0zngh2jgrm6r4jwxa" src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/3aaVCPDqEEqnscW2bgSwe4ppjk3TjTJAa55TW80Cn0JWLZ2qsUltpAccYODdPXuJ.jpeg" alt="Serious mid adult female lawyer listens to unrecognizable female client" title="Serious mid adult female lawyer listens to unrecognizable female client" 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://cdn.durable.co/getty/3aaVCPDqEEqnscW2bgSwe4ppjk3TjTJAa55TW80Cn0JWLZ2qsUltpAccYODdPXuJ.jpeg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: undefined undefined;"></figure><h3> Mistake #1: Rushing the Hiring Process</h3> When you’re overwhelmed and exhausted, it’s tempting to hire the first person who seems "good enough." But rushing the process often leads to poor hires, frequent turnover, and frustration.How to Avoid It: ✅ Take time to define the role—what hours, skills, and personality fit do you need? ✅ Create a detailed job description before posting a job. ✅ Conduct at least two interviews before making a decision. ✅ Trust your gut—if something feels off, keep looking. <figure id="figure-8vyc731tdm6r4k9wk"><img id="8vyc731tdm6r4k9wk" src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/1cTBwyGXrP98rm8ee8uAcgAqY3WXM9QetQhf7FkA5q6D3CZa1DO4kaY6ITaxwV4J.jpeg" alt="Senior African-American couple on walk, with wheelchair" title="Senior African-American couple on walk, with wheelchair" 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://cdn.durable.co/getty/1cTBwyGXrP98rm8ee8uAcgAqY3WXM9QetQhf7FkA5q6D3CZa1DO4kaY6ITaxwV4J.jpeg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3> Mistake #2: Not Being Clear About Expectations</h3>A lot of hiring issues happen simply because families assume caregivers just know what to do. Without clear expectations, caregivers may take on too little (or too much), leading to burnout or disappointment.How to Avoid It: ✅ Write down specific responsibilities: What’s included in daily care? Any special training needed? ✅ Set a clear schedule—when do they start and finish each day? ✅ Be upfront about pay, benefits, and house rules before they start.<h3>&nbsp; Mistake #3: Failing to Check References and Backgrounds</h3> It’s tempting to skip this step, especially when you're in urgent need. But past behavior is the best predictor of future behavior. Families who don’t check references risk hiring someone unreliable—or worse, unsafe.How to Avoid It: ✅ Always call at least two previous employers or references. ✅ Run a background check (some states provide low-cost options). ✅ Ask references specific questions: “Would you hire this person again? Why or why not?” <figure id="figure-83xa5yx51m6r4kurf"><img id="83xa5yx51m6r4kurf" src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/28tEGTgsPn6EE0qnqIlR6IGJryBrVYVlGLEQRy6bl4BDphJ81JDUQnlv8aini2kh.jpeg" 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://cdn.durable.co/getty/28tEGTgsPn6EE0qnqIlR6IGJryBrVYVlGLEQRy6bl4BDphJ81JDUQnlv8aini2kh.jpeg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3> Mistake #4: Ignoring Red Flags in the Interview</h3> Not every caregiver is a good fit, and ignoring red flags can lead to problems down the road. If they show up late, avoid answering questions, or seem uninterested in the job, those are warning signs.How to Avoid It: ✅ Ask structured questions about their experience, problem-solving skills, and past challenges. ✅ Listen for inconsistencies in their answers. ✅ If they seem defensive, uninterested, or unwilling to answer questions, move on.<h3> </h3><figure id="figure-iuaefknukam6r4lacv"><img id="iuaefknukam6r4lacv" src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/bQAJBGhbpqav6XndEO6BqbFHX79hVuLhJwKrSmnWuzws9IeuDHi1Su2MyPvgIqRv.jpeg" alt="Red Flag Warning Hurricane Storm Danger of Dark Sea Clouds" title="Red Flag Warning Hurricane Storm Danger of Dark Sea Clouds" 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://cdn.durable.co/getty/bQAJBGhbpqav6XndEO6BqbFHX79hVuLhJwKrSmnWuzws9IeuDHi1Su2MyPvgIqRv.jpeg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3> Mistake #5: Not Offering Competitive Pay and Benefits</h3> Families often struggle to find good caregivers because they aren’t offering enough pay to attract and keep the best talent. The reality? Caregiver shortages are real, and wages have increased.How to Avoid It: ✅ Research fair pay in your area—what’s the going rate for home care workers? ✅ Consider offering bonuses, paid time off, or mileage reimbursement. ✅ Think beyond pay—some caregivers value a consistent schedule, a positive work environment, and opportunities for training. <figure id="figure-7qn4msut10lm6r4lh1h"><img id="7qn4msut10lm6r4lh1h" src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1622186477895-f2af6a0f5a97?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwxfHxob3VybHklMjB3YWdlc3xlbnwwfHx8fDE3Mzg3MTI5NzN8MA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.0.3&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" alt="silver and gold round coins in box" title="silver and gold round coins in box" 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://images.unsplash.com/photo-1622186477895-f2af6a0f5a97?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwxfHxob3VybHklMjB3YWdlc3xlbnwwfHx8fDE3Mzg3MTI5NzN8MA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.0.3&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3> Mistake #6: Not Considering Personality and Compatibility</h3> Just because someone has experience doesn’t mean they’re the right fit for your loved one. A caregiver's personality, communication style, and values matter just as much as their skills.How to Avoid It: ✅ Think about your loved one’s personality, routine, and preferences when hiring. ✅ Ask about the caregiver’s communication style—how do they handle challenges? ✅ If possible, schedule a trial shift to see how they interact.<h3>&nbsp; Mistake #7: Failing to Provide Proper Training and Support</h3> Many families assume caregivers will "figure it out" on their own, but every home and individual is different. Without proper training, caregivers may struggle, leading to frustration or quitting.How to Avoid It: ✅ Create a simple training plan with instructions on daily routines, medications, and emergency procedures. ✅ Provide ongoing feedback and check-ins—don’t just assume everything is fine. ✅ Treat caregivers like team members, not just employees—mutual respect goes a long way. <figure id="figure-i0np3yw4ahm6r4m4u5"><img id="i0np3yw4ahm6r4m4u5" src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/32EOE6YXGVilEaIoHID3UihY8yvqGlf0Frs4XFFgXsttcojFYPOHhbc9OvJ1CLYw.jpeg" alt="Group of friends taking a stroll on city's street in summer day" title="Group of friends taking a stroll on city's street in summer day" 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://cdn.durable.co/getty/32EOE6YXGVilEaIoHID3UihY8yvqGlf0Frs4XFFgXsttcojFYPOHhbc9OvJ1CLYw.jpeg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3> Mistake #8: Not Having a Backup Plan</h3> Even the best caregivers get sick, take vacations, or leave unexpectedly. If you don’t have a backup plan, you could be left scrambling.How to Avoid It: ✅ Keep a list of backup caregivers (friends, family, or agency workers). ✅ Consider hiring a second caregiver for part-time support, so you always have coverage. ✅ Have an emergency plan in place in case of last-minute cancellations.<h3>&nbsp; Final Thoughts: A Good Hire Changes Everything</h3> Hiring a caregiver doesn’t have to be stressful, but it does take careful planning. Avoiding these mistakes will help you find a reliable, compassionate caregiver who truly fits your loved one’s needs.But if you’re still feeling overwhelmed, you don’t have to do this alone.👉 Need help hiring the right caregiver? Get step-by-step guidance to find, hire, and train caregivers—without the stress. <a data-mce-href="sharrisonconsulting.com" href="sharrisonconsulting.com">Click here to learn more.</a>

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