Anyone interested in living in a group home for people with chronic illnesses?

First off I know its a farfetched idea. i want to start a group home or something of the like for people with these types of chronic illnesses. they have them for recovering alchoholics, developementally disabled and emotional disorders, but i can't find any for people who just are too physically sick too work, escept for nursing homes which are scary! I dont want to actaully start a group home, that would be too difficult and impossible, just a house for a few people with chronic illnesses who can't workbecause of them. i know this would also be very difficult but still doable if i can find people interested and people who would respect eachothers boundaries. I want to do this because i have no family or friends to support me. Im 22 and try to go to college, its near impossible. I can barely leave myy apt. i have gastroparesis and so many other problems like severe ongoing fatigue which seems to cause most of my problems. It's impossible for me to work right now i do hope to be able to some day. I get social security right now as my only source of income i barely make it financially. I can't seem to find any freinds who can relate and i am so lonely and just want a family like group of people to support me. some might suggest a church, but ive gone to several and its doesnt work cuz they dont understand either since theydont have a chronic illness. also im not a christian. just having one friend who understood would help, but i don't.Does anyone have any suggestions or any thoughts on this?

Michelle, I'm very sorry for your situation.  See if your city or town has some social services to contact for some help and support.  You need to be careful about contacting people unknown to you over the Internet.  Also, please realize that it's against the rules of the Forum to post the same thing in multiple forums.  I wish you the best of luck.

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Lanie

diabetes moderator
diabetes type 2 controlled so far by diet and exercise
very low carb way of eating

o rly what if i worded it differently? and ty

Too late, Michelle!  You've already posted them.  The moderators in the other forums are in charge of what's posted there.  As I said, the best place(s) for you to make contact with others would be through your city's social services.  you might also discuss this with your doctor.  He/she might have some suggestions, too.

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Lanie

diabetes moderator
diabetes type 2 controlled so far by diet and exercise
very low carb way of eating

I do think your idea is a good one though. I think communities for people with illnesses are needed. Older people are finding alternatives to the
"group home" option. Just like your suggesting they buy or rent a home in a community of like minded people and share in the costs and chores.

AARP had an article about it. Maybe you can still find it on-line. They gave a few names of towns and organizations where this is happening. In might be a jumping off place to other ideas.

know your energy is debilitating and this would be no easy task. But a few minutes here and there could really add up to something. I know I would be interested in learning more about doing something like this.

It wouldn't hurt to keep searching the Net to see if there's anything like it yet for people who are younger than 60+.

Imme

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Since 2001 I've been DX'd by many specialists: Fibromyalgia, Small Fiber Neuropathy, CRPS (right foot), Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome, DDD, Arthritis, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Myleopathic pain due to spinal cord compression, & Central Pain Syndrome. Compression Fracture L1 2003ish. MVA years ago, sustained a compound fracture Lumbar area.

If it's in a warm climate, sure! However, my husband may not let me go so easily;p

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Fibromyalgia, IBS, allergies, chronic Vitamin D deficiency, and possible Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

"Who wouldn't be the one you love? Who wouldn't stand inside your love? Protected and the lover of." *The Smashing Pumpkins, Stand Inside Your Love*

Yes, in ways, I would love to share problems and housekeeping and expenses...but I do need quiet and solitude also and that would be hard in a group...you know there is always someone always nedding, needing knocking on yr door with drama/trauma...I think screening and probationary period with input afroma ll residents would be good idea.

I know of group homes for people with depression/BP etc here in Mississippi. Check with Health Dept for laws and regs

And let us know-fascinating idea..helps us to inteact too

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"We never realize how strong we are, until being strong is the only thing left"
Major Depressive Disorder, ptsd, fibromyalgia, chronic pain, l3/4, L4/5 gone, bursitis arthritis sciatica


welbutrin HBP meds seroquel hydrocodone magnesium potassium multi vit

Your dream is possible. Intentional communities (or communes as they were once called) of all shapes and sizes, rural and urban, are everywhere and there is a forum and site here in the UK called Diggers and Dreamers where people looking for others to join or help them start up a community or household.
I lived in an intentional community which I co-founded in 1986 in urban England. Effectively this was a shared household with 6 other co-op members where we all pooled energies and rescources. The way we bought the (7 bedroomed) house was to raise a tiny bit of capital for the deposit (we had other donatiions from benefactors) but formed a co-operative which became a legal entity and a charity. This way, we became our own landlords and co-owners with an equal stake in the community and say. Some of us were on benefits (the state paid for the mortgage repayment share via the legal entity of the landlord-as-coop (!) and some had jobs in the community. A lot of people became members over the years, but I had to leave the house because of becoming too ill to participate in running it (we put on courses and hosted festivals and other events).

I have seen communities which are gay only, christian...why not chronic illness for help and mutual support? It would be fantastic. So many people with this illness are isolated, lonely and needing support.

With all due respect to those people who suggest that social services are a great help - well my experience is that they aren't. Occasionally they can offer some support but it isn't usually very appropriate and their capacity is limited by our illness, their funding, etc, etc, and the agenda to try and get you back into work.

If you don't want the hassle of going down the coop/commune/legal route, you could advertise for house-share members online, all of whom you would vet and get to know a little beforehand to see if they were suitable living-with material, as people who would share a house with you. In the U.K. again there are websites for people looking for others to house-share with in the private property rental sector or lodgers. There is nothing to stop you trying to find like-minded others in the same way by putting out an advert.

Failing that, if you can't find people to start a house share with, to alleviate your loneliness, you could always try being a lodger in someone else's house. So long as they are quiet at least you would have some company now and again. There are a number of people looking for lodgers and you could be ideal since you're likely to be quiet, respectful and easy-going. There are options out there. Good luck!

I think the idea of a communal house for those of us with chronic illness is a great idea... I also have no family support at all, and friends have left my area, and are too far away to be of help... I have wanted something like this for a long time.

Mutopian, we don't really have the idea of 'lodgers' here in the US the way you do in the UK... too bad, because it would be a great idea for the right people I think.

And I agree, that social services are not going to be able to help us. They are not interested. The illness is not recognized generally by the public, and we will not get the help we need. If we could, I'm sure many of us with CFS would know about this resource.

Great idea, don't give up!