For families of adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities, one of the biggest questions about the future is often also one of the hardest to answer:
Where will my loved one live as an adult?
There isn’t one right answer.
Some adults may continue living with family. Others may thrive in a supported residential community, shared living arrangement, group home, apartment or another setting that provides the right balance of independence and support.
The best option depends on the individual—their abilities, preferences, support needs, goals, relationships and vision for adulthood.
Understanding the possibilities is an important first step.
Why It Helps to Explore Living Options Early
Families don’t have to be ready for a move to begin learning about future living options.
Exploring early gives families time to ask questions, visit communities, understand different levels of support and—most importantly—include their loved one in conversations about what they want their adult life to look like.
Instead of asking only, “Where will they live?” it can help to consider bigger questions:
What kind of support helps them succeed?
How much independence do they want?
Would they enjoy living near friends and peers?
What daily living skills are they currently building?
What opportunities for employment, volunteering and community involvement are important to them?
What would make a place feel like home?
Those answers can help families begin narrowing the possibilities.
Living With Family
Many adults with intellectual disabilities continue living with parents, siblings or other family members.
For some families, this arrangement provides familiarity, stability and strong natural support. Adults living at home may still participate in employment, day programs, community activities, social groups and independent living skill development.
Over time, however, families may want to consider how the arrangement supports both current needs and long-term goals.
Questions may include who will provide support as caregivers age, whether the individual has opportunities to build independence outside the family home, and what future transitions might look like.
Planning ahead doesn't necessarily mean making a change today. It means creating options for tomorrow.
For additional guidance, explore Daymark's Roadmap to Adulthood, which helps families think through the skills, relationships and supports that shape adult life.
Supported Independent Living
Some adults may be able to live in their own apartment, home or shared residence with varying levels of support.
Support might include help with transportation, grocery shopping, meal preparation, budgeting, medication routines, household responsibilities, appointments or other aspects of daily life.
For individuals who are ready for greater independence but still benefit from assistance, supported living can offer another option to explore.
Group Homes and Shared Living
Group homes and shared living arrangements generally provide a home environment where several adults live together and receive support based on their needs.
The amount and type of assistance can vary significantly from one setting to another.
When considering this option, families may want to ask about staffing, routines, roommate compatibility, activities, transportation, community involvement and opportunities for residents to make choices about their daily lives.
Residential Communities Designed for Adults With Intellectual Disabilities
Some families may choose a residential community created specifically for adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities.
These communities can combine housing with opportunities to build life skills, develop friendships, participate in activities and become more involved in the broader community.
At Daymark Living in Waxahachie, Texas, the focus extends beyond having a place to live.
Residents have opportunities to practice the skills that are part of everyday adult life—from grocery shopping and cooking to managing responsibilities, building relationships, participating in the community and discovering greater independence.
Just as important, residents have opportunities to build friendships and experience the sense of belonging that comes from having a community of their own.
To see what that experience can mean for families, hear directly from Daymark parents as they share their loved ones' journeys toward greater independence.
What Does Independence Really Look Like?
Independence doesn't have to mean doing everything alone.
For one person, independence might mean learning to prepare a favorite meal.
For another, it could mean having a job, managing a weekly schedule or remembering what is needed at the grocery store.
It might mean learning to communicate with a roommate, making plans with friends or knowing when to ask someone for help.
The goal isn't necessarily complete independence. It is helping each individual build the skills, confidence and support system that allow them to participate as fully as possible in their own life.
Learn more about how adults with intellectual disabilities build independent living skills through practice, encouragement and everyday experiences.
Look Beyond the Address
When exploring living options, it can be easy to focus on the physical space: the apartment, bedroom, amenities or location.
Those things matter, but families should also consider what everyday life looks like.
Ask questions such as:
How are residents supported in becoming more independent?
What opportunities are there to make friends?
Can residents participate in employment or volunteering?
How are everyday skills practiced?
How much choice do residents have over their schedules and activities?
How does the community encourage residents to participate in life beyond its campus?
What happens when someone's needs change?
A living environment isn't just where someone sleeps at night. It can shape their relationships, routines, confidence and opportunities for growth.
Start With Possibilities, Not Pressure
Thinking about future living arrangements can feel like a major decision, but families don't need to have every answer today.
Start by learning.
Visit different environments. Ask questions. Talk with other families. Explore programs. Most importantly, involve your loved one in the conversation whenever possible.
What do they want?
What are they excited about?
What makes them nervous?
What would they like to learn?
Who do they want around them?
The answers may evolve over time—and that's okay.
The goal isn't to rush toward a decision. It's to understand the possibilities so your family can make thoughtful choices when the time is right.
Not sure where to begin? Daymark's free Independent Living Readiness Checklist can help your family explore important skills, support needs and goals for adulthood."
Explore Residential Living at Daymark
Finding the right living environment for an adult with intellectual or developmental disabilities is an important decision. At Daymark Living in Waxahachie, Texas, families can explore a supportive residential community focused on independence, friendships, life skills and meaningful adult experiences.
Whether you're planning for the future or ready to explore residential options now, our team is here to answer your questions.
Frequently Asked Questions About Living Options for Adults With Intellectual Disabilities
What living options are available for adults with intellectual disabilities?
Living options may include remaining in the family home, supported independent living, shared living arrangements, group homes and residential communities designed for adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities. The right setting depends on the individual's abilities, preferences, support needs and goals.
How do I know which living option is right for my adult child with an intellectual disability?
Start by considering the individual's daily living skills, level of support needed, social preferences, safety needs and goals for adulthood. Families can also visit different settings and ask about staffing, skill development, transportation, employment opportunities, activities, friendships and community involvement.
When should families start exploring residential options for an adult with an intellectual disability?
Families can begin exploring options well before a move is necessary. Starting early provides time to understand available choices, build independent living skills, visit programs and include the individual in conversations about their future.
Can an adult with an intellectual disability live independently?
Some adults with intellectual disabilities can live independently or with limited support, while others may benefit from more structured assistance. Independence looks different for every individual and can include making choices, managing daily routines, developing life skills and knowing when to ask for help.
What should families look for in a residential community for adults with intellectual disabilities?
Families may want to consider safety, staffing and support as well as opportunities for independence, friendships, employment, community involvement and continued skill development. It is also helpful to understand what a typical day looks like and how residents participate in decisions about their own lives.
What is the difference between a group home and a residential community for adults with intellectual disabilities?
Programs and terminology vary, but group homes typically involve a smaller number of adults sharing a home with support. A residential community may offer a larger community environment with housing, programming, activities, life-skills development and opportunities for social connection. Families should evaluate each program individually because services and levels of support can differ significantly.
Does moving away from the family home mean giving up family involvement?
No. A move can represent a change in the family's role rather than an end to family involvement. Families can continue to be an important source of connection, encouragement and support while their loved one develops greater independence and builds a life of their own.
Where can families find residential living for adults with intellectual disabilities near Dallas–Fort Worth?
Daymark Living is a residential community in Waxahachie, Texas, approximately 30 minutes south of Dallas, serving adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The community offers opportunities to build independent living skills, develop friendships, participate in meaningful activities and receive individualized guidance. Families throughout Texas and beyond can contact Daymark to learn about eligibility, programs and scheduling a visit.
