One of the things that comes with having a loved one with special needs is money. Often the supports they need are different from the general public and of course those things that are not the norm usually cost extra.
It is similar to someone who decides to go on an organic foods only diet...grocery bills likely skyrocket. The same could occur for your loved one. Do they need specialized nursing care, special diet, or incontinent supplies? Maybe they need a wheelchair or 24/7 supervision? These things are all reality and need to be considered when making a budget for your family member.
It is very important to remember to plan and budget as you will likely need things that may be expensive or difficult to find. Seek government assistance programs if your area has them. In Ontario there are several such as OSDP, OAS, Passport funding, March of Dimes etc. Reach out to as many as you can for anything specialized that you need. Make sure to plan for the future and begin to save early! If you think your loved one will require nursing care then plan a budget for it.
And don't forget to think about his/her future. If they are still young then consider a retirement savings geared to their specialized needs. In Ontario there is the Hensen Trust or consider an RDSP (Registered Disability Savings Plan) where the government will contribute along with your child/family member's contributions. This will ensure that if you are no longer around when they are older, that they have financial supports in place. Check your area if you haven't yet and see what is out there.
One tip though is to look deep for financial service supports as they can be hard to find and not all doctors, nursing homes, schools etc will be fully aware of what is actually out there. Check with other families as well who may be going through the same thing as they may have additional resources that you may not have come across yet.
In the end be aware of the funds your loved one has now but also plan for the future.
This is such a big topic and I will write more about it again soon.
Barb
