When talking about autism spectrum disorder (ASD), people always assume that it is about a young child. But what happens when these children grow up and become older adults? Approximately 2.21% of America’s adult population has ASD, making it 5,437,988 people.
According to the US News, researchers do not put enough effort into studying and understanding the behavior patterns of adults with autism. As a result, there is less awareness about caring for a senior with ASD.
That’s why family members do not know what to do and leave them in hospice care. In most cases, these older adults feel lonely and isolated, resulting in a low quality of life.
To avoid that, you can care for your loved one with autism in their own home. Of course, it will be challenging because you need to understand the person completely, and they must trust you to accept care.
In this blog, we will discuss a few lesser-known facts that will help you care for an older adult with ASD.
The Importance of Social Interactions
As mentioned earlier, loneliness and social isolation are a concern among older adults with ASD. To counter that, a key element is social interaction with other autistic seniors. Even though they try hard to understand regular social cues, interacting with someone like them can make them feel included and happy.
Whenever possible, you must accompany them to support groups specializing in helping seniors with ASD and their caregivers. To find such groups, you must:
- Search online in your locality to find listed social activities for autistic people.
- Ask a healthcare professional where to socialize with people with similar cognitive impairments.
- Contact a nonprofit organization focused on helping people with ASD.
Usually, they would love to attend support groups because they can identify with other people who face similar challenges daily. However, they might not be initially open to such a change to their routine.
You cannot force them to like something they are unfamiliar with. Instead, you must go slow and understand how they feel about support groups without forcing it on them. Try to take them to the group once every two weeks, say nice things about the trip, and slowly add it to their routine.
How Can Home Care Services Help?
Seniors with autism prefer living with the people they trust because it makes them feel safe. Since you love them, you have taken on the responsibility of providing care every day.
However, it might get overwhelming to do everything on your own. For example, caregivers are expected to follow the same daily routine of playing board games, helping them eat, washing their clothes, etc.
When that happens, many people might take them to assisted living facilities. But you don’t want to make them feel abandoned and scared. In that case, you should try in-home care services.
You can hire a professional caregiver on days when you are not physically or mentally capable of providing care. Usually, the type of care services offered will vary from city to city.
Let’s assume that you live in Greater Lexington, Kentucky. This place has a senior population of 43,368. Hence, there’s a high demand for personalized and affordable caregiving services for older adults.
Other than that, Kentucky is also home to 83,000 people diagnosed with autism, and the majority of them are adults. That means 2.13% of adults in the state have autism. Therefore, it’ll be easy for you to find companies offering home care in Greater Lexington and other areas. They will surely offer specialized care for older adults with cognitive impairments.
According to Always Better Care Senior Services, reliable in-home service providers in Greater Lexington might offer laundry, meal preparation, and nutrition monitoring services. In this city, in-home care service professionals are trusted and trained caregivers offering 24/7 companionship.
They also provide services like housekeeping, overnight care, mobility assistance, toileting services, etc. To find the one suitable for your loved one with ASD, you must check their reviews, services offered, and costs before hiring.
Legal Rights of Adults With ASD: An Often Overlooked Fact
One thing overlooked by many caregivers when it comes to autistic seniors is their fundamental rights. According to the Autism Society, the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Olmstead Decision guarantee equal representation and criminalize unjust segregation. As a caregiver, your objective should be to ensure that your loved one’s rights are respected.
This way, no one can take advantage of their cognitive impairment. Ideally, an autistic adult has the following rights that you must be observant of:
- Their right to independence, autonomy, and dignity
- Their ability to access medical care and other services to maintain a high quality of life
- Their right to gain respect and equality without experiencing social discrimination
- Their ability to access entertainment and leisure of their own free will
Moreover, older adults with autism have the right to reside in an adaptive and comfortable environment. Remember to keep their rights in mind when caring for them. Doing so can positively impact their well-being and help you meet their specific needs.
In summary, you must adopt a respectful approach when caring for an older adult with ASD. Caregivers should identify their specific needs before offering routine care. Moreover, you need to limit the unexpected and set regular routines.
Once done, you can hire in-home care services, focus on their social interactions, and understand their rights. Apart from that, ensure to create a living environment that is comfortable, safe, and calm.
