Opening a group home???

Nurses General Nursing

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Specializes in Corrections.

Hi everyone,

I woke up this morning with this idea on my mind after dreaming about it. I have thought about it before but always thought it was way too hard/complicated to do and put it out of my mind. But today the thought and the urge to pursue it is so strong I can't really describe it. I have always wanted to be a labor and delivery nurse but never pursued it for some reason... but a Maternity Home might be something needed in my community and I feel that maybe I can really make a difference by doing this. I would really like to hear from some of you that have ventured into opening a group home and any information you have about pros and cons. Is it do-able, how do you get started, what is involved, and have you found that it is worth it. Do you love what you are doing or have you found that you'd rather go back to doing the nursing jobs you had before this career change? All information is welcome and greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

SOS:redpinkhe

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Specializes in school nursing, ortho, trauma.

need a little more info -please educate me as to exactly what a maternity home is. I am picturing a residency home for pregnant teens and new teen moms.

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Specializes in ICU/ER.

I dont know if the market is there, most unwed moms continue to either live with boyfriend/parents or alone. Society has changed and it is more acceptable..I would think if a teen did become pregnant and was not able to live with parents than foster care is an option. Also most cities/towns have womens shelters now that have the resources to care for an expectant mom.

How would you plan on getting funds/payment for this service as most unwed moms if not able to live alone have very limited financial resources.

If you do resond to this post ( as I have noticed many users pose a question then never get back on to provide more feedback) PLEASE use a more vision friendly text---I had trouble reading that bold type!!

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Specializes in Corrections.

Sorry for the bold print... I too thought that this type of home is rarely used anymore but it was were my interest was. I could look into homes for the mentally disabled or a sober living home but I have this picture in my mind of them having behaviors that I may not be able to manage. I have worked with the mentally disabled before and I used to get hit, bitten, choked, and whatever else just up out of the blue. This is my concern in this area. But this is the main reason for the post... what type of group homes are mainly being opened these days? As for sober living I feel I would have no resources to offer because I have no experience in this area.

SOS:redpinkhe

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Specializes in ICU/ER.

Our town has a handful of group homes for adults that are mildly mentally challenged and just cant quite live independantly. One of the homes happens to be in my residential nieghbor hood and it wonderful. It is a standard colonial home. They have 4 folks ( 1 lady and 3 men--but I know of others that are either all male or all female ) greater than 50yrs of age that live with them. I know one of them has part time job at the grocery store. They live just like any other family home but they drive a cargo van vs a mini van.

I am pretty sure all get a social security check and I am only guessing the majority of that goes to the family and then pocket money is distrubted --I know the lady is a smoker as I see her every day walk up to the gas station for her fix and I see her on the porch smoking..

We have lived in this neighborhood 10 years and the same 4 and only 4 have lived with this family the entire time. We love them, they love my kids and my dog.

I know our other neighbors told us before they moved in the neighbor hood had to get a greater than 75% acceptance~~I dont know if that was the towns rules or just the host family wanting that...I do know though that one of the stimpulations is that none of the residents can have a sex conviction.

Best of luck becuse this really isnt a job your taking on but more of a way of life. You cant just quit if you dont like it. My adivce would be to volunteer at a home like this for at least a year before you decide.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Tele, IM, OB/GYN, neuro, GI.

Do a search on google and see if you can find any information. I know that there is a very large "home" in Texas that does this. The mother is sent there by family or whatever other reason and they take her to all of the appointments and have home schooling for them. They stay until they are cleared by their doctors for traveling and go back home. Most of the women that get sent/go there are putting the baby up for adoption.

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Specializes in Corrections.

Thanks guys, please keep the info coming if you have any. Are group homes subject to audits and inspections the same as other facilities?

SOS

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Specializes in MR.

I work for a group home that is run by a Private for profit company. We have 7+ clients & we are labeled as an ICF/MR setting. The only ones that live there are the clients. We then have round the clock care w/ nurses & direct care. The company owns several group homes around the area, and down around a major city. We are federally & state funded. We are regulated by the state & have a yearly licensing inspection. Similar to a Nursing Home, but not on that scale. Our clients have MA, state health care card & get a small amt of money from social security. With the 7+ people we have a nurse on duty for 24 hrs a day, LPN's, with an RN contracted for 10hrs a month to oversee the LPN's. Also have access to a DR. 24/7. Then we have direct care workers (like a cna) for 2nd & 3rd shift. Usually 1-2 nurses on 2nd, 1 on 3rd. 4-5 direct care staff on 2nd & 2 on 3rd, & 2 more showing up for am care & to get them off to "work". All of our clients are wheelchair dependant & medically needy w/ a siezure disorder being a primary concern.

In our area alot of nurses work for biyoda(sp?) and work in a private home setting taking care of a medically needy child, which for the family is primarily a foster child. Some homes have 2 or 3 children in the home & they tend to qualify for 24 hr nursing care. Foster care for medically needy is always needed & I imagine that could be an area to look into. I worked at a home once that was set up & approved to be a group home for 8 to 12 foster children at a time, touchy situation there.

On the news awhile back I saw that in Arizona they were trying out a new home setting for the "new nursing homes of the future". They had elderly folks who needed the nursing home setting living in homes with a few other residents. Probably no more then 10. All had there own rooms, but for the rest I am not sure. They did say that the house had less cna's then a nursing home but they did tend to stay longer & an LPN was always on duty, but the RN worked for whoever owned the homes & went around to all the "homes" to keep an eye on them. Interesting to get in on that.

I hope this helps.

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this doesn't sound like something that would stay afloat without someone who has the money to continually invest and lose, imo

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What sort of population are you looking to serve?

Oops, disregard please!

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Specializes in MR.

You would think, but I guess it is like the for profit nursing homes. They somehow make money, I've worked for them for 18 yrs & they have expanded over the years. But other companies have gone under, hard population to serve & to meet the regs. Hopefully they'll still be going strong for another 18 yrs:D

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Specializes in Cardiac, Community.

i work for a nonprofit organization that has numerous programs to help people. i manage thirty group homes for people with mental disabilities, mainly MR. this is my only experience in the group home field, but from what i know, the state does come out and audit/inspect the homes. myself, im the "wellness manager" an RN whose job is to come out to the homes and do my own audits including medication audits and make sure all the paperwork on doctors appts, labwork, etc is filed correctly. but i do know the state comes out and does very meticulous inspections of the homes. im pretty sure this is the case with any group homes for people as long as those living there are getting some kind of healthcare or service by living there, which im guessing is the point for you to open one. good luck with it! feel free to ask me more questions if you want.

donna

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