Triveni Goswami Vernal
(Registered Special Educator: A64010)

Assisted Living Facilities usually provide housing and care to individuals who require support with their day to day living, but not constant medical care. In general, Assisted Living Facilities are more commonly available for senior citizens and are presented as “retirement homes” or “old age homes” with various kinds of facilities available for the individuals living within the premises, including food, accessible features like ramps, bathroom rails, access to doctors, nurses on call, medication, leisure activities, activities for cognitive enrichment etc. In most metros in India, Assisted Living Facilities for seniors have sprouted and due to the quality of care provided, it is no longer looked at with disdain.

Another set of population, that requires Assisted Living Facilities, are the individuals with additional needs. For this set of individuals, residential centres providing assisted living facilities, are few and far between. “What After Us?” is a question that keeps many a parent /caregiver of an individual with additional needs, awake and on their toes, all their lives. What will happen to the individual after the next of kin, passes? Who will look after them? How will they live without their parents and extended family—are questions that bother every parent. Assisted Living Facilities can serve as a transition to independent living, but within the confines of a more, structured framework.

Two tragic deaths of young individuals in the same Assisted Living Facility (Autism Ashram, in Gujarat)* in the recent past (over two consecutive years), have made parents wonder what could have been done to prevent such incidents. A common thread that emerged in both these incidents was the lack of access to quality health care, that could have been crucial, at that given moment. 

In India, there is no regulatory body overseeing the functioning of these Assisted Living Facilities. While each residential centre may have their own Standard Operating Procedures, it is often seen that without any regulatory body, the norms are readily flouted.

SO, WHAT CAN BE DONE?

Parents and caregivers need to take an informed decision while choosing a residential centre for their wards. Some things that they can keep in mind, are:

First and foremost, parents and caregivers need to do their due diligence before they choose a particular Assisted Living Facility. They should take honest feedback from fellow parents, visit the place and see for themselves whether they really walk the talk.

Secondly, Access to Medical facilities—are doctors and nurses on call, how far is the nearest hospital (is it functional?), what are the available tertiary healthcare facilities (as most of these centres are usually located far away from the city limits), are there regular medical check-ups for the residents etc.

Thirdly, Trained Caregivers and Support staff—are the caregivers and support staff living with the residents in the residential centre, trained and equipped to work with them?

Fourthly, Facilities available for Academics, vocational training, leisure activities etc.-what kind of facilities are available to keep the residents engaged fruitfully through the day?

Fifthly, Safety and Security Measures—what are the measures undertaken for the safety and security of the residents? It could be barred windows, locks, CCTVs, 24×7 availability of lifeguards (if there is a swimming pool), one on one support staff etc.

Sixthly (and one of the most important points), Parents should Question the Management in the residential centres, from time to time, and especially if they think, something is amiss. They should also frequently visit their wards from time to time, to see for themselves, how things are, in reality.

Thus, we see, that while residential centres offering Assisted Living Facilities for individuals with additional needs, have come into existence over the last two decades or so, in India, quality caregiving is something that needs to be actively worked upon, by both the providers (of these residential centres) as well as the parents, who make use of these facilities.

In my next blog, I will provide a compilation of the Assisted Living Facilities for individuals with additional needs, in the country.

To be Noted:
**While reports of the deaths were shared by the parents of the deceased youth on social media, both the times (this year and last year), there has been no media coverage on these two incidents at all**
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Author Dr.Triveni Goswami Vernal

Dr.Triveni Goswami Vernal is a Registered Special Educator (CRR: A64010), a Psychologist and an Expressive Arts Therapy Practitioner (UNESCO-CID). She is an Avaz Certified Educator and Certified in Dyslexia Teacher Training. She is also an art educator for children with additional needs.

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“Galaxy”
Acrylic Painting on Stretched Canvas
Kabir Vernal