WHAT IS A GROUP HOME?

Group homes provide a residential living experience to individuals who require assistance with activities of daily living due to mental, emotional or behavioral challenges, or physical disabilities. Much like a family home, group homes provide safe, supportive and nurturing homes, typically staffed 24/7, where people can live and develop skills needed for greater self-reliance.

Group homes provide many services for clients in a comfortable, supportive environment, including individual and group counseling, daily living skill instruction, social skills and job training, recreation, as well as assistance with medical and psychiatric services. Group Home staff promotes individual responsibility and increases feelings of independence and autonomy by encouraging the resident to become actively involved in their own daily life and direct care.

Group homes strive to reduce the amount of structured, institutional care and instead create authentic living environments that simulate the home-living experience in a communal setting. By providing structured and supportive living environments, the home encourages residents to learn necessary life skills and build healthy relationships with their peers and community.

BENEFITS OF GROUP HOMES

People living in a group home can benefit from a variety of services, depending on the individual needs of each person. Group homes are uniquely designed to meet the needs of individuals of all ages, whether they’re children, adolescents or adults.

The benefits of group homes are numerous and include:

• A safe, stable living environment
• An opportunity to learn important life skills
• Assistance with activities of daily living
• Access to recreational and social activities
• Access to medical and psychiatric services
• An opportunity to form meaningful relationships
• Positive peer interaction and support
• Increased feelings of independence and autonomy

CONCLUSION

For individuals who are unable to live independently due to mental, emotional, behavioral or physical challenges, a supportive group home environment can provide an opportunity to lead a more fulfilling and independent life. Group homes strive to create a comfortable and nurturing living environment to encourage and foster the development of inpiduals. From medical and psychiatric services to individual and group counseling, and assistance with activities of day-to-day living, group homes offer a variety of support services to help people live happily and successfully.