Planning Ahead - Florida Developmental Disabilities Council

CHAPTER TWOPreparing Yourself and OthersWhatwill the quality of life be for your family member when you are gone? Start bymaking a list of those things that matter — perhaps things you have never thought ofas needing long-range planning. Here’s a list for starters:• Type of care and supervision needed• Who will help/make necessary decisions• Type of residence, including the neighborhood in which he will live• Type of employment/daily activities• Quality of life/leisure time activities• How all needs will be provided/financedWho Should Plan?Not only the individual’s parents but the entire family and friends should be involved in planningfor the future, and thinking about what the role of each might be in the life of the personwith the disability.Why Should We Plan?To make available the elements necessary to achieve the quality of life desired for and by theindividual.To insure that the individual has the opportunity to fully participate in and direct the decisionmakingregarding where to live or work, how to use free time, and who will provide the supportand services needed to achieve these and other desired goals.Chapter 2, Preparing Yourself and Others7