Set Your Priorities & Shape Your Future
When you’re thinking about planning for someone’s future, there’s no perfect place to begin. Start wherever feels right for you and your team. Focus on what matters most right now.
Planning Priorities
Beginning to plan for the future can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. Whether you’re making a plan for yourself, someone you love, or someone you support, here are some topics to think about as you start planning.
Check out these planning resources.
Making
Decisions
Sometimes, people can make choices on their own. Other times, they may need help. Understand ways you can help or ask for support with decisions big and small.
Financing the
Future
Explore how to plan and save for what matters, whether you’re managing it yourself or helping someone with IDD build a financial roadmap.
Deciding Where to Live
Consider all the options, from the type of housing, to who to live with, and how to pay for where you live.
Work & Daily
Activities
Explore job ideas and other daily activities that can help create routines, grow, and make connections in the community.
Friends
& Social Life
Learn how to build friendships, stay connected, and find belonging, whether you’re planning for yourself or supporting someone else.
Ready for your next step?
Let’s Build a Future Plan
A written future plan—sometimes called a letter of intent—captures important personal details about a person with IDD, including their daily routines, preferences, and goals. It creates a roadmap for family and supporters to follow.
Keep Life Consistent
Make sure life feels familiar and comfortable, even when circumstances change.
Make Decisions Easier
Prevent confusion about health care, finances, lifestyle choices, and more.
Strengthen Your Overall Plan
Get a complete picture of the person’s life to support financial and legal planning.
Planning for the future is essential.
Watch people with disabilities, family members, and professional planners talk about how they have handled different areas of future planning.