Assistance for Living with a Disability

Incurring a disability creates a wide range of adjustments that must be resolved in order to maintain physical, mental, and emotional equilibrium. There are resources that will provide support for most of life’s necessities.

• Eldercare professionals- I have a close friend whose daughter is an eldercare professional. She is very knowledgeable about most of the requirements for caring for disabled people. She provides support in different ways. She visits regularly, ensures that my environment is safe and orderly, picks up, delivers, stores and organizes my groceries. She ensures that all of my groceries are within recommended usage dates. She runs errands that are beyond my reach. Through the last few years, she has become an honorary family member to me and to my children and grandchildren. I suggest that an eldercare person should be a top priority in arranging life with a disability.
• Groceries- Most grocery stores have delivery services. There are a variety of online grocery and shopping delivery services that are efficient. I use these services when my eldercare provider is not available. I have been pleased with the services that I have used including Instacart and Door Dash.
• Home maintenance- I have used applicance repair specialist companies and have settled on a very knowledgeable repair person with whom I have developed a friendship. There are many services that provide home system inspections, repairs and preventive maintenance services.
• Lawn maintenance- For over fifteen years I have used a lawn service that not only provides lawn upkeep, but is also a lawn sprinkler expert, a house gutter cleaner, and an arborist and landscaper. He regularly checks the entire exterior of my house and informs me of needed lawn issues as they arise.
• Home health services- I am a client of a major medical organization with a full range of capabilities. When I became disabled, I learned about an affiliate of this organization that provides in-home nursing care and another affiliate that provides in house-call medical services with both medical doctors and highly trained physician assistants. This has been a very useful service. I have regular monthly visits and specialized services when needed, i.e. vaccinations, and ultrasound testing in my living room. I also have discovered a house-call dental service. I have had in home dental exams and a dental filling performed while I was in my recliner. The dental team brought all of the needed equipment into my living room, performed the filling procedure, packed the equipment and departed in exactly one hour…I was amazed! I recommend exploring home health options in your location and checking references in order to make your disabled life safe and and comfortable.
• Home delivery shopping- Amazon and other online services provide practically anything that you need delivered to your door.
• Building contractor- As you grow into living with your disability, house modifications may be an ongoing need. Building a trusted relationship with a contractor who has a variety of skilled craftsmen on his/her team can be a valuable ongoing resource.

Living with a disability is an ongoing learning experience. Exploring the services that are available will be a very important aspect of disability life. Safe Harbor Pathways is focused on providing information, resources and community for navigating the pathway through the disability life transition. Follow SHP on Facebook and our website at safeharborpathways.com.