Aging with a Disability - Questions to Consider
Charting the Life Course is a tool, developed by the Supporting Families Community of Practice and the University of Missouri Kansas City, to assist you in creating a vision for the future. It is designed to help families think about the questions to ask as you “plot a course” to a full and meaningful life for a family member with a disability.
- What supports do I need to continue living as independently as possible in my own home and community as I age? How can technology assist me to live as independently as possible?
- If I’m still living at home with my parents, what will happen when my parents die – where will I live, and with whom?
- Have you left a “road map” on how to best support me when you are no longer able?
- Are there “senior citizen” resources in my community (senior center, transportation, Meals on Wheels, etc.)?
- Can I go to a nearby senior center for social activities?
- Do I have age appropriate friends (same age friends) that share similar interests?
- Are my extended family members and other supporters knowledgeable about the things that are important to me?
- Who will emotionally support me when a close family member or friend passes away?
- Who else understands my medical needs and is available if I need help communicating those needs to others?
- Who will help me create a will and make my wishes known for medical directives?
For a full list of questions families can consider for this stage of life, download the Charting the Life Course booklet and other resources at http://www.lifecoursetools.com/.
The questions in Charting the Life Course are written to reflect a “first person” perspective across the lifespan to represent the viewpoint of the person with a disability and the on-going transformation to an adult who is self-determined, autonomous and independent.