How to Live with a Mentally Handicapped Adult

Living with a mentally handicapped adult is challenging for everyone, including the person with the illness. After gaining a full understanding of the person’s handicap, set out to make a conscious effort to make the living arrangement work. Respect the person with the handicap and be sure to monitor any potential problems.

Things You'll Need

• Health records
• Medication list

Instructions

1. Understand the handicap and its complications. In order to live with a mentally handicapped adult, it is crucial to know the degree of complexity and the needs that arise within the individual. The depth of the condition makes a big difference in how to treat the person and handle day-to-day life. If the individual is not considered a dependent, ask permission to obtain health records and interact with doctors and therapists so that a better understanding of the handicap is achieved.

2. Give the person space. Everyone requires privacy, so make certain to provide the handicapped adult with opportunity for solitude when needed. Respect is critical when it comes to privacy, even if the person frequently requires assistance. Treat the mentally handicapped member of the household with the same level of respect as anyone else. Knock on the door before entering the room.

3. Stay involved and be helpful. A mentally handicapped adult sometimes has difficulty with normal tasks of daily living. Ask if anything is needed and offer to help whenever possible. Don't assume that help is needed and start doing things for the person without asking first.

4. Check on any medications the mentally handicapped adult is taking. Check the medications daily to ensure that the person is taking the required doses. Often a handicapped adult forgets to take a pill or simply overlooks it. Mentally handicapped adults with a concurrent mental illness have the potential to relapse if a break in medication occurs, so these individuals require daily supervision. If behavioral problems associated with the condition exist, the handicapped adult sometimes refuses medication. A plan to deal with these situations makes living together much simpler when the event occurs.

5. Pay attention to other members of the household. Living with a mentally handicapped adult sometimes means that other members of the home are left out or excluded. Be sure to include everyone in the life of the handicapped individual so that no one is excluded and to ensure that all responsibility doesn’t fall onto one person.

Tips & Warnings

• Consult a professional if the household is having difficulty adjusting to the mentally handicapped person.

• Never make adjustments to medications without consulting a doctor.

• Never leave the mentally handicapped person alone or with a minor if the condition is considered severe.

References

• François Beiger: Understand the Mental Handicap
• Springerlink: The pattern of care in families of adults with a mental handicap: A comparison between families of autistic adults and Down syndrome adults