Making a Move: Advice from "People First" Members about Helping People Move out of Institutions and Nursing Homes

This paper offers advice, from members of People First, concerning the process of having individuals with disabilities move out of institutions and nursing homes into community living arrangements. The first section lists categories of questions that express the potential concerns and worries of people who are going to move, such as "Why do you want me to move?""What about the people I'm leaving behind?""Is the place I'm moving to going to be right for me?""What if it doesn't work out?""What if I want to make a change?""What about money?""What will I do during the day?""What will I do about getting to the doctor and the dentist?""Will I have the chance to learn the things I need to know to look out for myself, to be more independent, and to get involved in things?" and"Will I be able to continue to get the help I need for a long as I need it?" Within each category, more specific questions are listed, concerning such issues as privacy, safety, jobs, and personal budgets. A second section outlines ways in which disabled individuals can help individuals who are moving out of institutions and nursing homes, such as inviting new people to do things together and telling people how to handle certain problems. (JDD)