Developing a Lifetime Care Plan for Children with Special Needs
Parents and caregivers planning a lifetime of care for children with special needs can feel like they are trying to hit a continuously moving target. Between filing for government aid, financial planning, and navigating the healthcare system, it’s a full time job to organize proper care for a child with special needs. In addition to the time required to coordinate care, the expense can be daunting, even with health insurance and government aid programs factored in.
As parents age and the care needs of their child with special needs changes, they need to bring into focus a long term financial plan that will extend over the lifetime of their child. Every family is unique and requires a different financial plan. Everything about the family needs to be taken into consideration including state of residence, aid qualifications, specific medical requirements, and therapies needed to care for the person with special needs.
There are a number of ways to plan, save, and pay for care over a lifetime. Many will qualify for aid from Social Security and Medicare benefits. However, to maintain eligibility for these benefits, the assets of the person with special needs must remain under a certain threshold. This is where a qualified financial advisor can help take advantage of other financial tools such as an ABLE account, Special Needs Trust, and specialized life insurance policies that extend to the child. Developing the right portfolio mix of financial tools is essential to planning for a lifetime of care coverage. For families interested in exploring their options for everything from care plans to Special Needs Trusts, Hope Trust can help navigate healthcare needs and plan for the future.
Tech Companies Design Apps for the Special Needs Community
New technologies have opened up new worlds for us by expanding the way in which we can communicate and share information with one another. As new technologies continue to develop, we are seeing more and more tools emerge that are geared toward helping the special needs community. New software, apps, and even robotics are being designed to make the lives of people with disabilities easier.
Samsung is one example of a company that is releasing new technology specifically intended to help people with special needs communicate more easily. Their app is called “Good Vibes” and it allows the deafblind to communicate with friends and loved ones by translating Morse code into text or voice. The app also works in reverse, allowing those unfamiliar with Morse code to speak or write messages into the app and have it translated for them. Messages are received by the deafblind through Morse code vibrations. Although the app is not available to consumers worldwide, Samsung’s “Good Vibes” is being piloted in India and has had outstanding reception from users.
It’s exciting to see big tech companies like Samsung develop applications and technologies specifically geared toward the special needs community. It signals that engineers and developers understand the difficulties faced by people with special needs and are working on solutions that alleviate the hurdles in their path.
Calming Room Soothes Special Needs Amusement Park Goers
Dollywood, located in Pigeon Forge, TN, is one of the top 50 most frequented theme parks in the world. The theme park bears name of country music’s Dolly Parton, and is visited annually by over two million guests. Recently, the major theme park and resort has introduced a calming room for children with Autism. Dollywood is the first theme park in the world to introduce this type of space.
The calming room is designed with low lighting, comfortable seating, and items meant to soothe children who may experience sensory overload, like weighted blankets and tents. Children with autism and their parents can retreat and take a break from the crowds, loud noises, rides, and bright lights of the theme park. For many children with autism, the sensory inputs and atmosphere of a theme park can quickly become overwhelming. A calming room allows children and their families a chance to relax, extend their stay, and have an overall better experience in the park.
Dollywood has been getting outstanding feedback since they’ve implemented their calming room. Parents of children with autism know the difference a quiet, relaxing place can make in the level of enjoyment for their child. Because of the praise Dollywood is receiving in regard to their calming room, other theme parks are likely to follow this trend and become more accommodating to families of people with differing abilities. We hope to see this trend in calming rooms move beyond theme parks and into other public places.
Hope Trust serves clients throughout the United States.