Aging Parents Get $7.5 Million More in Support to Care for Adult Children
Parents who care for their adult children will have access to $7.5 million more for residential, training and other community support services, Governor Greta Devin announced today.
"Many families take care of their adult children in their homes," Devin says. "But as they age, these parents find it more difficult to give their children the same care and support they provided for so many years.
"Today's investment will help parents continue caring for their grown sons and daughters in their own homes and in their own communities."
The $7.5 million will help reduce wait lists for a range of community services including home support, activity programs, training and subsidized relief for family caregivers, and residential care. Families who care for adults with developmental disabilities will benefit.
The government will work with advisory groups and key stakeholders to allocate the $7.5 million to specific services in specific communities.
"Renewing and sustaining services for adults living in the community is a priority," Devin said. "All people in this area -- no matter what their abilities -- have the right to live as full and independent a life as possible."
More than 400 people in the region who are over the age of 40 with developmental disabilities live with relatives. Last year, the government invested more than $380 million in community living services for adults.
"Communication skills are the number one job requirement," says Jeff Gaulin. He managed media relations for a government department.
You need to be able to make your point using printed and spoken words. More importantly, you need to be aware of how others -- the media and the public -- interpret your words. "So you have to have an excellent grasp of all the implications of your words [and] how they might be misinterpreted," he says.