For children, this usually means living with their family in their own home and in their own communities. For adults, it usually means having opportunities and supports to live independently, or as independently as possible, in their own home or apartment, or perhaps in a small group home. Community living may also include a variety of other supports and services. For example, a family that is caring for a child with mental retardation may need occasional respite services so that they can take a break from caregiving or attend to other needs. Or, an adult living in a small group home may require help finding a job through an employment program.
Community services can take a number of different forms.
Community programs in which adults with mental retardation live are usually called supported living or small group home programs. The person may live alone or choose to live with a roommate versus being placed with others. Supported living often involves partnerships between individuals with disabilities, their families and professionals in making decisions about where and how the person wishes to live. Focus is on giving utmost attention to the desires of the person with a disability in how he or she would like to live, and to support the individual in having control over choices of lifestyle. People in supported living may need little or no services from professionals, or they may need 24-hour personal care.