Social programs
All kinds of achievements in the 20th century have recently been discussed in the media. One that has been overlooked took place in the last 35 years. It is major improvement in services and life opportunities for mentally handicapped people.
Improved educational and social support programs mean people who suffer from mental handicaps, or have difficulty with the intellectual demands of life, are seldom, if ever, sent to live in institutions, as they were before.
When I came to Saskatchewan in 1964, I first worked at the Saskatchewan Training School, now called Valleyview Centre, in Moose Jaw. It used to house more than 1,500 patients. Now it has only a few hundred seriously handicapped residents. There were only three special education schools in the province then.
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Now, every school division has programs and classes to help children who are mentally challenged. That is due to the work of the Saskatchewan Institute for Community Living, formerly known as the Saskatchewan Association for Retarded Children.
Nowadays, a handicapped adult has many choices. They may live at home with their parents. They may live semi-independently, on their own or with others in an apartment or a house.
If they need more supervision, they may live in a private boarding home or a fully supervised group home. Being mentally challenged no longer prevents people from taking part in community work and recreational activities, thanks to sheltered workshops and activity centres.
Some mentally challenged people live at home all their lives, but there are times when it is best for handicapped adults to get out on their own, especially if they live in a city. This way they can keep in contact with family and friends.
But if they grew up on or live on a farm and enjoy rural life, it may be a more appropriate decision to stay in a familiar environment, without the extra stress and confusion of large-city living. The more that people know their community and their environment, the better they get along.
But when guardians grow older and are worried about the handicapped person’s future, planning must be done before a crisis occurs.
Wherever possible, involve the handicapped in the discussion. You are dealing with their lives and they have the right to be involved. Their wishes may be unrealistic, but give them the chance to express their views and feelings.
At times, handicapped people may need to move due to aging, ill health or death in the family. Services are available to families faced with such difficult decisions. Provincial government services are available for mentally handicapped people. In Saskatchewan, it is the community living division of the department of social services.
The Institute for Community Living is a national voluntary association, with divisions in each province. Contact numbers are British Columbia 604-875-1119, Alberta 403-451-3055, Saskatchewan 306-955-3344 and Manitoba 204-786-1607.
