There’s a new form of help for older adults with developmental disabilities who are adjusting to life as seniors.
The provincial government is piloting the new service, which involves “navigators” partnering with people with developmental disabilities and their families. The navigator’s role is to help that person with one-on-one support.
“The new service model helps individuals with developmental disabilities and their families during times of life transition – such as youth to adulthood or moving into their senior years – and links families with a navigator who co-ordinates the government services they need, rather than people trying to find their way through complex systems and services alone,” said Don McRae, minister of social development and social innovation, in the media release.
For example, the navigator can help someone identify goals and ways of meeting them – like where to live or ideas for keeping busy – assist in developing a plan and co-ordinating the services and supports to make that plan concrete, according to a press release from the provincial government.
“Acting as a one-on-one support for families, the navigator can assume a proactive role in ensuring that all the elements of a person-centred plan are captured in one place,” the release states. “This support is designed to take families through the years where their needs are changing as they age and allow them to have more control over these changes and be proactive about their futures.”
Services to Adults with Developmental Disabilities Initiative is spearheading the project. The initiative is a partnership between various government ministries, Community Living B.C., school districts, health authorities and aboriginal agencies.
The Services to Adults with Developmental Disabilities Initiative site in Burnaby started taking referrals in May and is the only early implementation site “prototyping” the new model for older adults, the release states. As of Oct. 16, 14 people have been referred to the new services in Burnaby.
The new service model is also available for youth between the ages of 16 and 24 years transitioning to adulthood in a number of communities including Surrey, the Nanaimo/Courtenay area, the Kamloops/Merritt area and Prince George/Haida Gwaii.
Expanded roll out for other areas of B.C. will be considered in the spring 2015. Older adults or their families can find out more by talking to their Community Living B.C. branch or Fraser Health Authority contact, or call 1-855-356-5609.
– Source, Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation
