Disability – describes a person(s) with physical, sensory, or mental impairments that can make performing an everyday task more difficult and sometimes altogether impossible.

Disability is so much more to those involved, whether they are family members or the actual patient. Discovering that one has a disability can be devastating at the very least. In the best case scenario the family must learn what assistance will be required by the patient and make the proper arrangements. Should the disability fall to the worst case scenario it becomes necessary to determine to what extent the patient will be able to participate in their own care. Most likely in the worst case the patient will be unable to make decisions concerning their physical, emotional and daily care. This leaves family members to make decisions that could be for the lifetime of their loved one.

There are so many steps involved from the moment of discovery until a time is reached when the patient is being cared for in the best possible way. This is a complex and most daunting task for all involved. It does not matter how much we love the patient the process is long and hard and in many cases a lifetime commitment to care. This unfortunately brings us to the realization of why we see so many roaming the streets uncared for or left in institutions and assisted living communities to live their days out with no one to really care for them. Often times this is not the way the family would like for the situation to be handled but due to the nature of their own personal situations they cannot do any better for their loved one.

There are many emotions involved in the process from the moment one learns of the patient’s illness. Decisions must be made by the patient at times if they are of age and by parents or family members if they are not of age. These are some of the most complicated decisions one will ever make in life. If the disability is on the high end of the scale sometimes it is necessary to place the loved one into some type of a residential or institutional setting. This alone is stressful to both the patient and to the family. Should the disability be on the lower end of the scale the patient may remain at home but require more care, different facilities or equipment then a person without a disability.

At this point basically the surface has just been scratched. The determination has been made that a disability is present that prevents the patient from performing routine duties of personal care. Perhaps arrangements have been made for lodging and even a routine of meds has been established. Now begins the real work, living with the disability. Learning about available resources, determining how much the patient is able to do for his/herself. If they are confined to a residential or institutional setting how often can or will the family be able to visit? How will financial and medical needs be met and by whom? If they are at home when does the care for the patient allow the remaining family members to de-stress. What about the actual caregiver? Who will relieve them so that they do not become overwhelmed by the responsibilities? How will the family finances be affected? Is there insurance or a financial means to supply medication and equipment required by the patient? All of these things can throw a family into turmoil. Some families can withstand the pressure and remain together working for the good of their beloved patient but other families will fall apart. Often times this leaves the responsibility of seeing to the patients care on one family member or the patient becomes homeless with no means of physical or financial support.