What You Should Know Before Choosing Supported Independent Living
Do you have a disability that makes it hard for you to perform day-to-day tasks like cooking, nutrition, cleaning and personal care? Do you have hobbies you can't enjoy without assistance? While it is impressive to do things by yourself, you shouldn't struggle alone — there is help for you.
With supported independent living (SIL) funding, you can receive all the help that you need living on your own or with other people with disabilities. Think of it as specialist assistance with everyday tasks so you can live as independently as possible and enjoy life to the fullest. Doing a little research can go a long way in helping you decide if it is the best choice for your specific circumstances.
Here's what you should know before opting for supported independent living.
You have unique needs
People with disabilities have different needs. For instance, some need help getting ready for the day, completing household tasks and participating in their hobbies while others can do most everyday tasks on their own under the right supervision.
When you participate in supported independent living, the level of support you will receive will depend on your specific needs. The more help you need, the more of it you will get.
You are expected to pay your bills
Water bills, gas bills, electricity bills, phone and internet bills — you name it! Household bills can add up quite fast. But paying your utilities is a great way to show you are an independent person.
Supported independent living aims to help you live comfortably without taking over your financial affairs. As a result, only the support that you receive will be paid for. Expect to fund the cost of utilities, food, rent, board, transport and day-to-day activities.
You have a say in where you can live
Anyone who wishes to benefit from supported independent living can choose a home from a wide range of comfortable and secure properties offered by their preferred service provider.
If you are keen on ensuring a good home-sharing experience, your disability support provider can help you find the perfect home and housemates. You just need to be specific about what you are looking for.
When it comes to assisted living for people with disabilities, supported independent living is not your only option — many support options exist. Talk to a disability service provider in your specific area to learn more about the various support options available to you.
For more information on supported independent living, contact a professional near you.
If you are a person with a disability, or know someone who is, you know that finding and accessing quality disability services can be a challenge. Fortunately, there are many resources available to help both those who need services and those who provide them. This site will introduce you to some of the most important info and advice about locating, accessing, and getting the most out of a disability service or program. Our non-expert contributors have worked night and day to research and write the articles here. They explore many different topics related to community disability services for children and adults.