Choosing the right living arrangements for you or your loved one with learning disabilities is a significant decision, and it can be difficult to know where to start. There are different options available, and finding out which one meets your needs can feel daunting. To provide a starting point, we’ve put together a guide explaining what residential care and supported living for learning disabilities are, and the key differences between them.
What is Residential Care for Adults with Learning Disabilities?
Residential care homes for adults with learning disabilities are shared homes which provide accommodation, community lounge areas and safe outdoor areas, as well as 24-hour support available to meet the personal living needs of the residents. Residential homes typically provide personalised plans to support individuals, offer care for complex needs and access to additional services as required.
What is Supported Living for Adults with Learning Disabilities?
Supported Living or Assisted Living typically refers to supporting adults with learning disabilities with living activities such as cooking within their own home or a supported living property. Residents are encouraged to live as self-sufficiently and independently as possible. To support this, there may be a warden available on site for practical support to help in emergencies or the option for a 24-hour emergency alarm system.
What are the Key Differences Between Residential Care and Supported Living?
Supporting Independent Living
Supported living for learning disabilities takes place within your own home or shared housing, where support staff come on a regular or ad hoc basis to support independent life skills or connect you with local community groups and services. This is a great option for adults with learning disabilities who can live independently and want to live their life as they choose, but require regular or flexible assistance with some tasks to achieve this.
People within learning disability care homes are relatively independent but require additional daily support to maintain this. Residential care homes for adults with learning disabilities offer home-from-home living coupled with opportunities to take part in organised activities such as arts, exercise classes and day trips. Support Staff can help with personal care needs, activities for daily living and are available around the clock for peace of mind. Residential Care homes can be a great option for people who want to be regularly supported to reach their potential through more structured routines.
Community
Supported living arrangements encourage adults with learning disabilities to actively take part in their local community through social groups with a wide range of activities. These can include cookery classes, gardening clubs and physical activity sessions either independently or with support staff.
Residential homes for adults with learning disabilities are a natural community through shared spaces and group activities. At Select Healthcare, purpose-built homes offer communal living and dining as well as activities programmes for our residents to enjoy time together. We encourage friendships between residents to create that true home community environment.
Personalising Care Support
Both supported living for learning disability services and learning disability care homes offer personalised levels of support depending on individual needs. Living in a supported living environment offers people the greatest independence, and care is tailored to an individual’s living requirements.
Residential care homes for adults with learning disabilities are shared environments which offer a structured routine alongside individual care plans. At Select Healthcare, we support every resident with a personalised care plan created with them, so their needs and routines empower them to live independently whilst supporting specialised and complex needs.
When Should I Move to a Residential Care Home for Adults with Learning Disabilities?
Choosing the right residential home for adults with learning disabilities for you or your loved one is an important and personal decision. Residential care may be an option depending on the level of care you or your loved ones require to live the daily life you want.
Some things to consider when choosing:
- Level of support for daily living needed
- The best accommodation to support independent living
- Access to community groups or activities
- Long-term living goals
If you are considering moving to a residential care home or have a loved one who is thinking about residential care, Select Healthcare offers specialised support for adults with learning disabilities in a number of facilities across the country. If you would like to find out more about our learning disability care homes and if they are the right fit for you, contact our team for more information.
