A Brief Guide to Supported Independent Living

There are people in our society who suffer from various mental and physical disabilities. It’s always their goal to live as normal a life as possible, but sometimes they need a little extra help. That is where supported independent living can play a very important role.

The person-centred model of support and care that comprises supported independent living is dedicated and designed to allow people with disabilities to live their lives as independently as they possibly can. The program aims to empower the disabled individual to make their own choices, participate in their community, and develop life skills by giving them access to tools and assistance in a way that fosters independence while still providing support when needed.

This program has various aspects, all of which work together to achieve the goal of allowing the disabled person to live their best life in the way they choose. These include:

• Accommodation – The options for accommodation vary from solo living in a self-contained apartment or room in a facility, to sharing a living space with other people with disabilities, to living with a full-time host family or caregiver. The option chosen is based on the preferences of the person, their capabilities, and how much support they may require. The goal is to provide a comfortable and safe environment that allows them to live with as much personal choice and independence as possible.

• Support Services – All of the program’s support services are carefully designed to tailor to the person’s individual needs. These may include bathing, hygiene, dressing, dining, and transportation. It’s important to let the individual carry out as many of these personal routines as they possibly can on their own, with the provider giving support only when it is necessary in order to foster their sense of empowerment and personal worth.

• Provider Responsibilities – Providers are vital to making these programs function. Their role is to assist a person with a disability in tasks such as household chores, self-care, finances and budgeting, planning meals, transportation, and participating in their community. Providers collaborate closely with the person they work with as well as the person’s family and healthcare professionals in order to develop and implement a support plan that works toward achieving the individual’s needs and, more importantly, their personal goals.

The following is a more detailed look at the things a supported independent living provider might do to assist the person they are working with:

• Discovering new ways that the individual can implement independent action in their daily lives.

• Suggesting items and practices that will make their living quarters safer and easier to move about in.

• Assisting the person with their personal and grocery shopping as well as social activities.

• Promoting a sense of self-worth and fostering the individual’s belief in themselves and the skills they do have that they can use to improve and enjoy their lives.

• Helping out with the housecleaning, cooking, and gardening, as well as providing some good company!

The Australian Government’s Ability Options website has further information on supported independent living. We hope this helps anyone interested in these empowering programs to better understand their importance to disabled people and their communities.