Lara's House
services & support hope & healing love & light
What Lara's House Offers to Full-time Residents
Lara's House offers a full-time residential setting for 4 women with various special needs, and temporary care for others on an as-needed basis. That simple description, however, cannot begin to tell the whole story.
Lara's House provides what every parent wants for their child, disabled or not:
a secure and healthy home where each is loved for who she is, cared for with warmth and sensitivity, and encouraged and supported to be all she can be.
Staff and volunteers
Caring, capable, well-trained staff are on site 24 hours a day. Staff to resident ratio is often 1:1 during day hours; and 1:2 at other times. Therapists are available, as are volunteer students from teaching and health care universities. Volunteers offer various spa and beauty salon treatments. Special events with musicians, artists, story-tellers, and others are also scheduled.
All staff members are carefully screened and provided ongoing support and training to allow them to provide consistently patient, loving and compassionate care, and avoid their own burnout and fatigue.
Schools/Educational Programs
Lara's House is located within the boundaries of the Mesa Public Schools, a large school district with outstanding special education programs available for students through age 22. For those residents over the age of 22, an individualized educational day program is provided, which includes many community outings and activities, personalized skill building and educational activities, shared cooking projects, arts and crafts, individualized programs for physical health and development, and lots of time for shared fun and socializing.
Family Events and Support
Residents of Lara's House and their families are able to participate in events sponsored by the Lara Foundation, a non-profit 501(c)3 charity for special needs individuals, their families and caregivers, which include family events, parent support and social groups, informative meetings and guest speakers.
Nutrition
Meals served at Lara's House are healthy and nutritionally sound, tailored to each resident's personal needs. Organic foods are served whenever possible and menus are planned based on strong natural nutritional and medical guidelines, and are tailored to residents' medical needs and preferences. Special diets and eating plans are offered. The entire process of planning, preparation, serving and clean-up becomes an enjoyable and shared learning experience for all.
Medical Support
A registered nurse is on-call 24 hours a day for consultation. Special medical needs are accommodated (see admission information for details.) Transportation and supervision are provided for medical and therapy appointments. A naturopathic doctor is available for alternative medical evaluations if desired in conjunction with traditional medical treatment.
Luxurious Accommodations
Each resident has a large private view room with a sliding glass door, in-room sink, and adjoining half bath. The "spa" is a spacious bathing room with a large walk- (or wheel-) in shower and step-in whirlpool tub.
A large dining room, outdoor eating patio with misters, spacious family room with fireplace and entertainment center, therapy/massage/meditation room, library, activity area, courtyard with fountain, and grounds with walking paths and a meditation garden all contribute to a comfortable and nurturing environment.
Security and Family Connection
The home has a fully monitored security system, and an interior camera system to allow for full monitoring by staff for safety and supervision. For family and friends who are traveling or unable to visit, live visual two-way communication is provided via Skype or FaceTime. You will never have to feel separated from your family member, no matter how far away you are.
Eco-Friendly
The home has been renovated using eco-friendly and low allergen materials. The environment is as physically healthy as it is emotionally wholesome for its residents.