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THE FUTURE CARE PLAN
(Also known as The Letter of Intent)
The Special Perspective of the Primary Care Giver
The truth is that no one knows the person as well as the primary care provider
(parent, spouse, etc.). Government social workers, teachers, doctors etc. only see the
person for brief periods of time and generally in relation to their own specialties. As we
all know agency Case Managers come and go and their records are not always complete.
Siblings may have grown up with the Special person but may now live far away and truly
don’t know their brother or sister the way they once did. The primary care providers
have a very unique perspective. They have seen the person grow and develop over a long
period of time. They have seen what works and what does not. As a general rule, they are
also the only ones who can make reality-based decisions because they really know the
person. The primary caregiver has a moral obligation to pass on their information to
future care providers.
How Information on a Special Person Is Passed On
Unfortunately, most family support systems rely upon word of mouth to convey their
wishes for the future of the person with the disability. During the emotional periods of
transition (death of primary care giver), vital components for quality care are lost. The
person with a disability is at a real disadvantage.
Purpose of a Future Care Plan
The purpose of the Future Care plan is to provide non-legal written
instructions to the future care providers, relatives, advocates, guardians, courts,
etc. on how they should treat the person with the disability. It documents every aspect of
the special person’s life from their disabilities to their favorite possessions and
fears. Some of the areas covered include: likes and dislikes, daily living skills, daily
activities, emotions, how best to resolve conflicts, education and work history, medical
conditions, physical condition, physicians, dentists, government agencies, final
arrangements, future living preferences, legal documents and legal relationships, personal
income and expenses, and finally important personal relationships.
LIFE PLANNING INSTITUTE organizes this information in an indexed binder for easy
access and use by future caregivers. This becomes an excellent tool for parents and
caregivers to relay information on their child to any governmental agency, school or camp.
Life Planning also notarizes the document so future care givers know these are the
expressed wishes of the previous care givers. Life Planners meet with the current
Guardians to update the Life Plan on at least an annual basis. |
