Homes

Here's a wacky idea that will probably never happen, but I wanted to write about anyway: Why don't we modify some senior's complexes to accommodate individuals with disabilities.

Get rid of the concept and stigmas of nursing homes, group homes, and the like, and just create facilities for anyone that requires extra assistance and wants to live relatively independently.

I've been thinking about this for a little while now. My grandmother is getting older and getting to the point where she can't live independently. My mother has told her about a few places, including one close to us. Upon hearing about the services offered at these various locations, my grandmother was hesitant, not wanting to leave her house. I, on the other hand, would've jumped at the chance if I was the right age. These places had home care, recreational facilities, individual apartments, and the one by us was right next to a major shopping centre (complete with restaurants, a bus station, and movie theatre!)

I've also read quite a few stories about young adults with disabilities winding up in senior's facilities because there are no other age-appropriate options, and often resorting to filing human rights complaints to try and get some assistance.

That's what made me think. What if that age-appropriate environment was already there?

We build all these different facilities for disabled people, some of which can be run-down and require the individual to go through lots of red tape and waiting before getting in. We also create service organizations for those people, yet put a ridiculous amount of requirements and restrictions on those services in order for one to obtain them (speaking from some experience here.)

Wouldn't it be great if everything was in one place, and everyone was able to get the help they need and enjoy their lives in the process?

I know it'll never, ever happen, but wouldn't this be something awesome?

I can only dream, I guess.

Cheers!