"Fifth Freedom helps people organize at the grassroots level so they can work together to solve their disability related problems"
An Indiana mother's account and desire for better educated caregivers
As the mother of a 25 year old non-verbal Autistic son who receives Medicaid Waiver Services, I would like to share my feelings about the quality (or lack there of) of the caregivers my son has received through the waiver over the years. Don't get me wrong, I am VERY GRATEFUL that he has the waiver and that the services are available to him. However, sometimes, I am convinced that the providers are so DESPERATE for staff, that they settle for a "warm body" to place in my son's home. Do you know how frightening that is to a mother who HAS to rely on those individuals to take care of their "baby" (whether our children are 2 years old or 22 years old, they are ALWAYS our babies)?
If we continue to pay our "caregivers" as poorly as we currently do, we are going to keep attracting a poor quality staff (those who can't get a job anywhere else and are more likely to abuse our children). If we don't start educating and training staff better from THE FIRST DAY, BEFORE THEY ARE PLACED WITH OUR most vulnerable population, our loved ones are going to continue to be abused and neglected.
I have lost count of the times my son has been hit, beaten, had his teeth knocked out, locked in a basement, received stitches, had his fingers broken, been placed in ICE COLD showers as punishment, and been verbally abused at the hands of so called "caregivers". We have called APS more times than ANY FAMILY should EVER HAVE TO CALL THEM.
I strongly feel if staff were trained better, provided more supports, educated better, paid better, and checked on more frequently my son's quality of life would improve greatly. Isn't it time that we place more value on our most vulnerable population and those who provide their care? Would you want to leave your loved one with a person who has not been trained, not educated about your loved ones disability, who has a history of abuse, and who simply doesn't care and is only there for a paycheck? My son deserves better, and so does EVERY person with a disability.
Rhonda
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