Group Homes - for a loved one

Group Homes for Mentally Ill loved ones ( I like to write this as a public service for families who are looking into group homes for a loved family member)

Mentally Challenged and Group Home Living

There are times when a group home living may need to be considered for a loved family member.   In many states there may be no regulations for these group homes, for this reason it is very important for the family to check them out carefully.  It is also advisable to visit your loved one regularly once they are living there.  Often the mentally ill individuals and seniors are not heard or believed, but if you trust your loved one than do listen to them.  So, they are not ill treated or neglected.  These are some areas of interest that I encourage families to look at and to check on before placing a loved one into a group home living, as a last resort if Family cannot take care of the loved one. (Please, go visit them first. I have worked with many patients who live or lived in group homes, and some of them are just awful, abusive and should not be open as a business. Many are just collecting people's money and/or Social Security checks) BE AWARE: Psychiatric Hospitals refer people to group homes, but they have no back ground information on these homes, and they have never even visited them) DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH, VISITS, AND MAKE SURE THEY ARE REGISTERED. Call Dept. of Health and Human Services and ask how you would know if they are registered. I have seen many group home owners who put their names on papers for Power of Attorney, Payee, Legal Guardian, etc.. be aware with what you are signing .

1.     How many individuals live at this Group home? 

2.     Will they be sharing a bedroom and if so with how many people?

3.     Are there therapeutic activities or trips.  ( many group homes will say they do this however they fall short of delivering such activities ).

4.     What is the monthly cost?  ( ask for this on written paper)

5.     Will they be providing 3 meals per day?

6.     Can an individual go for daily walks alone?

7.     Is there a telephone to be used freely by all residents? ( many group homes block phone use).

8.    Who are the caretakers and do they have a criminal check done on them?

9.     Is the neighborhood safe to take walks at?

10.   Will the medications be dispensed by someone, and locked up?

11.   Can the family visit anytime and without a warning? (many group homes will put up a for family)

12.   Is there illegal drug use or alcohol use by any of the other residents?

13.   Do they follow up with and provide transportation for medical needs?

14.   Can we meet the caretakers that work here? ( usually owners  hires low paid workers) 

15.  (Go online and check out their names, and see if there are any complaints, police reports, are they registered with city/state? etc.

16.  They make promises on their advertisement, or in person about their services but ask about them

These are some questions to be asked, and you may ask your own personal questions also.  There are no stupid questions, so ask and don’t be shy.  Most important thing to remember is “don’t place a loved one into a group home, and rarely visit them”. So often they are very lonely and feel abandoned by their families.  Remember that a group home is just a business, and can never take the place of a family.  Also, if possible choose a group home in the same city in order to take your loved one on outings and holidays, and to see them more often.