Aging and Medical Support Program
Medical Support Homes
Woodhaven is proud to be able to provide supports to individuals with more intensive medical needs so that they can continue to live in their own home. This program differs from the Community Living program in three ways:
- Higher staffing ratios – We are able to devote more staff time to working one-on-one with individuals to ensure that they are able to safely enjoy the things they want to do.
- Extra Training – Staff members that work in the Medical Support homes are required to take extra classes and continuing education to ensure that they are familiar with recognizing the onset of a medical concern. The extra training also ensures that they are able to safely and properly provide supports for individuals with a wide variety of more significant medical needs.
- Closer medical oversight – Individuals supported and their support staff work closely with the Registered Nurses of our Health Services Department to make sure the health and medical needs of each individual are met safely.
With these components, Woodhaven is able to safely provide supports to individuals with a wide variety of more complex medical requirements so that they can continue to live independently in their own home for many years to come. Because their medical needs are met, they are able to achieve more independence and maintain a more active lifestyle than would otherwise be possible without these additional supports.
Aging in Place & Accessible Design
We believe that as a person confronts the changes they experience as they age, the comforts of their home, family and friends become increasingly more important to their continued happiness and quality of life. This is why the concepts of “aging in place” and accessible design are an incredibly important part of our philosophy of support.
As an individual ages and their health needs change, the supports provided also evolve to ensure that they can continue to safely participate in the activities that they enjoy. The staff working with these individuals undergo extra training to make sure they are well versed in how to safely provide supports when more complex medical needs arise, as well as how to properly work with an individual as they experience age-related health concerns, such as dementia.
We believe it is incredibly important for our staff to be able to provide long term supports to all individuals as they age. Studies show that people who are able to age in place live longer, happier lives than those who spend their last days somewhere other than their own home. This is why more staff time is devoted to providing them wrap-around supports where they are, rather than moving them from the home they’ve known for the last 20 years. We also focus on making sure the individuals supported continue to have opportunities to stay active at home and in the community.
Accessibly designed homes make “aging in place” possible. Accessible design goes farther than just having a zero-entry shower, or a wider doorway. It is about making sure that all parts of the home are inclusive for people of all ages and abilities. Accessible housing gives the individual supported the freedom to age comfortably while maintaining their independence. Because we provide supports to individuals with developmental disabilities throughout their lifetime, helping them find accessible housing is an important part of the process of placement within our services.