Individuals with Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) often have some types of co-occurring chronic medical conditions. Depending on the level of support they require, their quality of life and survival can depend upon the daily assistance of care givers to meet their most basic needs and provide critical supports and services.

The unprecedented Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is exposing cracks in the health care system designed to protect individuals with I/DD.  Such is the case of an individual that Care Design NY supports.

"THE FAMILY IS GRATEFUL FOR CARE DESIGN NY COMING TO THEIR SON'S AID AND ADDRESSING THIS CRISIS TO ENSURE HIS MOST BASIC SUPPORTS AND SERVICES WERE MET."

This member’s stepfather tested positive for COVID-19. The household was mandated to a two-week quarantine. Like so many individuals with I/DD, this individual requires many medications to manage chronic conditions. His supply of one prescribed drug to help control seizures, which it vital to his safety and well-being, would run out in one week.

While renewing prescriptions is generally a simple process, with his caregivers ill and the entire family under COVID-19 quarantine orders, the Care Manager uncovered this very dire situation in her outreach. She discovered that not only was the medication’s supply within days of running out, but the prescription also could not be renewed. Apparently, the prescribing physician was recently unavailable.  

A desperate medical emergency was about to play out with his mother also very ill and unable to contact others. The Care Design NY Care Manager asked her Senior Supervisor to intervene.

Within a matter of hours, this perilous situation was escalated. She advocated vigorously that without this prescription to control epileptic seizures, he was at great risk. These efforts successfully resolved the situation with the prescribing doctor and within two days, the seizure medication was prescribed and delivered.  

The family is grateful for Care Design NY coming to their son’s aid and addressing this crisis to ensure his most basic supports and services were met.