Support Helps Shared Living Households Thrive

When an individual or family becomes a shared living provider through Nonotuck Resource Associates, Inc., they do not embark on that journey alone. They have the wishes of the disabled person they care for to guide them, as well as continuing support from Nonotuck.

Shared living is a customized service designed to address the unique personality of the person who will receive services. It can be a long-term commitment between the caregiver and the disabled person to create a home life and a valued relationship. Shared living can also be an interim commitment where people care deeply for each other but move on to new relationships in their life.

When a shared living household is created, Nonotuck listens carefully to the person needing care, as well as talking to their friends and their family members. We work hard to find a good match with a shared living provider based on personality, interests, culture, and routines. Our goal is to help people with disabilities live full and authentic lives, and to help create loving and respectful relationships of mutual dependence.

Once a person with a disability is matched with a shared living provider, Nonotuck provides training for the provider. We want to make sure the provider can confidently meet the needs and desires of the person who has a disability.

Shared living caregivers and people with disabilities also receive support and guidance from a multidisciplinary team of program directors, clinicians, registered nurses, and care managers. Each member of the team plays an important role in supporting the shared living home. Program directors oversee the services provided to people in each of our area offices. Care managers make monthly visits to each shared living home and support the development of the relationship between the caregiver and person served, and also help providers with medications, activities, and any other issues that may arise. Nonotuck’s registered nurses and clinicians are a great resource to assist with any additional medical or emotional needs. Nonotuck also provides on-call support 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Finally, caregivers receive a generous stipend and respite services as needed.

It’s the kind of support that helps all the people living in a shared living household thrive. With Nonotuck, both providers and people with disabilities can be confident that they are valued and that their voices will be heard.

Learn more about shared living or apply to become a shared living provider.