VANCOUVER (NEWS130) - Families are speaking out about changes affecting housing and support for adults with developmental disabilities. They fear the lives of their loved ones will be thrown into turmoil by the changes.
Connie Greenway's son Darrin has lived happily in a Langley group home with two others for the last 16 years. Now the three face the prospect of the home's closure later this month.
Greenway says a move would jeopardize Darrin's mental well-being.
"It's possible that a change would initiate a deterioration of his mental health," she says. "His support needs would intensify during the transition. The risks are obvious. It won't be a good move."
The Sidhu family's situation is a little different, but still involves modifications being undertaken by
Community Living BC, the organization in charge of support and housing for adults with developmental disabilities.
In AJ Sidhu's case, someone at Community Living BC visited him for a 20-minute interview earlier this year, and determined his level of support could be reduced. His mother wonders how the assessment could have come to this conclusion, given AJ doesn't speak.
The family claims the reduction will amount to 30 per cent of his current care, and will relegate him into what's called a home-share situation.
"His doctor and his psychologist have written letters to tell the government that changing anything around him would prompt a slide back really fast," says his mom, Surinder Sidhu. "If there was one person not suitable for home-share, it's our son AJ."
The
NDP suspects group home closures are a cost-saving measure and is calling for an independent review of Community Living BC.
The organization has come under fire for closing 65 group homes in the last 18 months. Its CEO resigned last month, and the provincial government stepped in to stop bonuses being awarded to its employees. Some $300,000 worth of bonuses have been paid out to 60 employees in the last year.