Down Home Ranch (DHR), the Intermediate Care Facility (ICF) located where FM 619 spurs off of Old McDade Road, has added three micro-houses to its resident housing plan. Jerry Horton, founder and director of Down Home Ranch sees a need for a different approach to patient housing.
“We are moving towards downsizing and simplifying. We are kind of leaders in that. We are trying to demonstrate cost effectiveness with smaller house sizes for our residents who can function pretty well and will benefit from greater independence, “ said Horton.
Down Home Ranch works with residents who are intellectually challenged, individuals with Down syndrome, Autism and Cerebral Palsy.
“We are part of their operating system. We assist in their decision-making and with making good choices. At the same time we are creating an atmosphere that encourages residents to continue to …show more content…
Even though it is not mandated that everyone in a group home have their own room, Down Home Ranch policy is to have one resident to a room. There is also a full-time resident assistant that lives there and manages the facility. This is a more traditional model of care that became law with the Social Security Act of 1971.
“Tom is independent and only needs a little help, and had always wanted to live alone,” said Horton.
With a grant from the Hoblitzelle Foundation in Dallas and a little of their own cash, Down Home Ranch contracted with Lone Star Structures in Lott, Texas to build, deliver and set up three micro-houses that are 360 square feet. The houses have a bathroom, washer/dryer, bedroom, sitting area and a kitchenette. The finished cost is around $30,000 per unit.
“Residents living in the three micro-houses don’t have someone living with them. They have a resident assistant for independent living that oversees the micro-house residents. That persons job is to help them plan their menus, help plan what they eat and help them shop for what they
“We are moving towards downsizing and simplifying. We are kind of leaders in that. We are trying to demonstrate cost effectiveness with smaller house sizes for our residents who can function pretty well and will benefit from greater independence, “ said Horton.
Down Home Ranch works with residents who are intellectually challenged, individuals with Down syndrome, Autism and Cerebral Palsy.
“We are part of their operating system. We assist in their decision-making and with making good choices. At the same time we are creating an atmosphere that encourages residents to continue to …show more content…
Even though it is not mandated that everyone in a group home have their own room, Down Home Ranch policy is to have one resident to a room. There is also a full-time resident assistant that lives there and manages the facility. This is a more traditional model of care that became law with the Social Security Act of 1971.
“Tom is independent and only needs a little help, and had always wanted to live alone,” said Horton.
With a grant from the Hoblitzelle Foundation in Dallas and a little of their own cash, Down Home Ranch contracted with Lone Star Structures in Lott, Texas to build, deliver and set up three micro-houses that are 360 square feet. The houses have a bathroom, washer/dryer, bedroom, sitting area and a kitchenette. The finished cost is around $30,000 per unit.
“Residents living in the three micro-houses don’t have someone living with them. They have a resident assistant for independent living that oversees the micro-house residents. That persons job is to help them plan their menus, help plan what they eat and help them shop for what they