Introduction
There are several reasons that one may need to find a group home. A group home is a home where a group of people live together. Usually, a group home will have care givers in the home at all time. These workers help to oversee the running of the group home and also provide care for those who reside in the group home. A group home is in a residential area and allows residents who cannot live in a home setting with their families, to have a home setting within the group home. Health care providers will sometimes recommend a group home for certain people.
Step 1
Determine the type of group home you need. If you have a child or adolescent with behavioral or developmental issues, you will need a different group home than one who is looking for a home for developmentally disabled adult would need. Often adults will be in a group home longer than children and adolescents will.
Step 2
Call the local department of human services in your city or town. They may be able to direct you to a group home that will fit your needs. Many group homes are supplemented by the state where they are located. So city and state agencies should have a list to get you started on your search for a group home.
Step 3
Speak with doctors and nurses where the person that will be living in the group home receives treatment. They may be able to recommend a group home that would be a good fit for your loved one. Medical personal may be a valuable source of information. They have more experience and knowledge about such residences than the average person usually would.
Step 4
Arrange a visit to the group home so you can see how it is run and meet with the staff. You and the staff may be working closely when it comes to the care of your loved one. While there are some who enter a group home for long term care, others may only be living in the group home for a short period of time. For those who are going to be receiving extended care, caregivers and family members should try to establish a relationship. Many family members have regular visits to the group home and often take their loved one out for the day.
Step 5
Ask questions when you visit a group home and be sure to be observant. Ask how often residents are taken out to be part of the community. Observe how residents and care givers interact. Look over the house to see if it is clean and pleasant looking. Do the residents seem well cared for and happy. Knowing the answer to these questions will help to make your choice of a group home easier.
Tips
Be aware that you may find that a group home you are interested in has a waiting list. Each group home can only have so many residents. Do some research into a group home before making a final decision.
