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Center for people with multiple sclerosis plans apartments on Dorchester Avenue
By adamg on Thu, 04/02/2015 - 8:09am
Architect's rendering.
The Boston Home, which provides treatment for people with advanced neurological diseases, such as multiple sclerosis, wants to build a 39-unit apartment building on its property at 2049 Dorchester Ave.
The units would be aimed at people with disorders such as MS, ALS, Huntington's and Parkinson's, and their families, the Boston Home says in its request to the BRA to review the project.
Thirty of the units will be reserved for persons (and their families) with significant physical disabilities, mainly paralysis, transitioning from long term care and individuals already living in the community but in need of additional support programs to live independently.
The goal is to create a national model for independent community living incorporating advanced technology and specialized support services for adults with a physical disability, primarily with a progressive neurological disease such as MS.
All would be designated for people making up to 60% of the average median income for the area.
Harmon Apartments small-project review application (21M PDF).
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Comments
So that's what the Boston
So that's what the Boston Home does...I always wondered what exactly they were a home for. They have a huge lawn right now, like an acre or more, surrounded by a fence. This looks friendlier.
You would be suprised about the Boston Home
I used to sing Christmas Carols in there as a kid with school and scouts. The Boston Home back then, and probably still today is almost as Yankee as The Somerset Club. It is a very low key, well run facility for the elderly and infirm. They have altered their mission over the past 20 years but is still almost a throw back kind of place.
The Boston Home
is very forward thinking about residents' quality of life and independence. They utilize a lot of various technologies to help residents maintain independence and collaborate with a number of organizations including MIT. http://www.thebostonhome.org/outpatient-services/technology/
That is fantastic! Thank you so much for posting this.
I am so glad there are places like this for those with neurological diseases.... types the person with MS. :)
Going to check out more things regarding The Boston Home -- I never knew this could be a resource for me as I grow older!
This is an interesting proposal
Accessible housing is most definitely needed. But the trend these days is towards more-inclusive options that are within the community.
I wonder if the semi-secluded nature of this housing would impact individuals ability to access EOHHS state services or funding.
But it's right at the corner
But it's right at the corner of Dorchester Ave and Gallivan Blvd. There are several bus lines and Ashmont Station is only two blocks away. The Boston Home has houses all around it.
I don't believe this is semi
I don't believe this is semi-secluded at all. This is part of the culture change in care for those with debilitating neurological disorders. Residents will be able to live longer with their families and stay in the community. The building will be state of the art, no doubt. MIT is amazing, and as far as providing an environment for people with disabilities, The Boston Home is a front runner. It sounds like the residents will have access to services at The Boston Home; day program, ST/OT/PT. At this point The Boston Home already has an outpatient wheelchair modification program, this has benefitted those who would have otherwise waited months for any modifications. With MS, an assessment can be made and a plan for modifications could be in place. Fast forward a few months, (when modifications are done) the individual may have declined or condition changed, the modifications have to be adjusted, and more time elapses.
Most young to middle aged adults with MS, who are unable to continue living at home, end up in geriatric Long Term Care facilities, and have little to no socialization. They have nothing in common with their peers, 40 year old adults with a 90 year old roommate who may suffer from dementia, I'm sure it is very depressing. There are some people with MS or similar debilitating diseases that have not gotten out of bed or even left the house for years, as a result of accessibility issues. This new development will be great for those who still want to live in the community, stay with their families and have accessibility to services. This development will help those people thrive and will improve their quality of life immensely.
I'm not at all against this type of housing.
I'm for the availability of all types of housing and care opportunities, as long as they're based on an individual's needs and desires.
My mother has MS and will likely need this type of care at some point. And my son has autism. Although a completely different type of disability, he will need a very high level of care when older - just a few years from now, actually, so you can bet I spend a lot of time thinking about what a good situation would look like!
I'm just saying it is interesting, that it is moving in the opposite direction of other initiatives. The Department of Developmental Services has been moving to restrict what they view as secluded living, including housing that looks very similar and even more "inclusive" than this.
The proposed residents here are unlikely to be served by DDS (more likely MRC and/or MassHealth). But the change is based on a Medicaid rule, so maybe other EOHHS departments will adopt the same in the future.
And some food for thought...
Many individuals with intellectual or psychological impairments live in group housing environments that are partially or fully funded by the Departments of Developmental Services or Mental Health.
This might look like 4 individuals who may or may not be of similar age, who live in a regular house in your neighborhood. The house may be staffed some or all of the time, depending on the residents' level of need. This type of housing has long been considered "best practice."
During the day, the residents are likely to go to some sort of day programming or club house. They are picked up from their house in the morning and dropped back off in the afternoon. On the weekends, staff make take them shopping or to some sort of recreational activity, or they may do these things on their own.
Although these individuals live within the community, the same one that you live in, they are probably not actually a part of your community. They may have nominal interactions with the store cashier or the clerk at the bowling alley. But chances are their only relationships with non-disabled individuals are with their paid caregivers and family.
This is totally different
This is totally different from a group environment funded by DDS. I imagine the individuals that will live here will have MassHealth, Medicare/Medicaid and or private insurance.
The Leonard Florence Center in Chelsea has an unbelievable model, with amazing technology, but it is more like a group home, similar to what you are describing.
There is a significant population of people that aren't safe in their homes, but are also not at the point where they need to live a long term care facility, the apartments would be for them. It is very expensive to modify a home to meet accessibility needs, this would allow a family to stay together and live in a safe and accessible home.
Right now, if you move into The Boston Home, you leave your home and family and move into the facility. Some individuals aren't at the point of needing 24H nursing care and still want to live with family. This development seems to be apts. with a great deal of accessibility, not really a group home. This will also give the residents an opportunity to have friends and support from people with similar disabilities. Many people with MS, who are disabled, live very isolating lives, this would be great for that population.
The residents of The Boston Home are a part of the Dorchester Community. The residents ride up and down Dot Ave, they go to CVS, some attend mass at St. Greg's, visit the Carney Dunkin Donuts, the Ice Cream Smith, they attend the farmer's markets at Ashmont and in Lower Mills, dine at local restaurants, some hit The Eire once in a while. Others take The Ride to visit family and friends in areas that aren't within wheelchair driving distance.
The Boston Home has been doing this since 1881, and has been adapting to the culture and community needs since then, they seem to be way ahead of the game.
It makes sense
that The Boston Home would want to use the expertise they have in dealing with degenerative neurological diseases to help people with those disease live independently with supports in place. Many non-elderly people with MS, ALS and other diseases end up in nursing homes because they don't have the needed supports available at home and this setting will provide that for them so they can stay out of nursing homes. It's a great plan.
Ha
I applaud this worthy undertaking. I have learned that The Boston Home is renowned as a respected institution and employer and is engaged in providing high quality neurological care. This development would seem a perfect fit for them and a natural evolution of their work. Our society should do everything in its power to ensure that people with physical handicaps are given access to appropriate housing. This plan seems to do just that.