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In 2005,
we chose to add Deinstitutionalization to our list of core services.
It’s a very long word that simply refers to the fact that we believe
everyone should live in the least restrictive environment. Someone who
is able to direct his or her own care and can live in the community,
outside of a nursing facility or other institution, should be allowed to
do so if that is his or her choice.
Deinstitutionalization can range from simply finding someone in-home
care so they can go back to their home they already have in the
community to finding someone housing, furniture, transportation, and all
other necessities of life so that they can go back to living in the
community. We feel it is very important to make sure that someone will
be safe and ready to go back to the community, so deinstitutionalization
can be a long process for someone who has lived in an institution for a
long time. We can teach independent living skills training, advocate for
their release with their families or the facility, and assist with all
types of needs, such as financial, if necessary to deinstitutionalize
someone.
We have worked with nursing facilities and group homes to assess
individuals for their capacity to live in the community, but, as with
all our other services, consumer choice is very important to us. We do
not deinstitutionalize anyone who does not ask us for it. If someone you
love needs to be deinstitutionalized, if he or she can call us and
request our help, it serves our purpose of this being “independent
living” – meaning the person with the disability has the best idea of
what is right for him or for her.
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