The main needs for most people with physical disabilities are housing and help with daily living. Thus, many of them will find the new emphasis on social aspects of community care particularly relevant.

 

Central to the Independent Living philosophy is a belief in the capacity of all people, regardless of disability to:

• make their own decisions
• direct their own lives
• live where they choose, and
• access all the opportunities in their communities

Independent living for individuals that are living with a disabity is often misunderstood. It does not mean disabled people 'doing everything for themselves' but that the practical assistance some disabled people need should be provided and based on individual choices and aspirations. It means having the same choice, control and freedom as other citizens at home, work, in education, and as equal citizens. Although many people assume this already exists, disabled people are aware it does not. Disabled people are denied independence on a daily basis, through limited choice and opportunity to participate.

 

Key components of independent living include:

• A right to protection against enforced or inappropriate admissions to residential care.                    
• The right to necessary advocacy and supported decision-making.
• The right to communication support for those who need it (with communication needs being routinely recorded in all care plans and assessment records).
• Social care services’ assessments to be based on the starting point of self-assessment (with users’ preferences on their support needs and how they should be met routinely recorded in care plans and assessment records).
• Minimum guaranteed outcomes on supporting independent living in the care standards framework.

There are several living arrangements that individuals can avail themselves to, provided that they are aware of their existence.

• Family Living Arrangements
• Independent Living
• Adult Day Services
• Partial Care Residence
• Full Care Residences

As caregivers we need to address questions that often trouble us, such as:

• Who will look after my disabled family member after I'm gone?
• How will my family in another state know what to do?
• How will a future caregiver know my loved one’s favorite foods, activities, and medical needs?
• What is a guardian and how do I know if I need to appoint one?
• Will there be enough money for my dependent's lifelong care?
• What is the best way to provide financially for my loved one?
• How can I safeguard the individual's quality of life?

With a little planning all of these questions can be answered in advance assuring the future security of your loved one enabling you to have peace of mind knowing that they will be provided for.

 

You will need to begin compiling information on what is needed to meet the individual’s special needs in the long term. Areas of consideration will include life history, habits and preferences, medical history and needs, financial assets and needs, legal considerations and the caregivers’ thoughts and intentions for the future. This information will also assist professionals, such as attorneys, accountants, trustees, social services and other caregivers in their efforts to assist the individual.

 

A Home of My Own

 

Here are some questions that you may want when thinking about choosing a supported living agency. These questions may help you decide which agency will give you the kind of support you need to live in your own place.

 

• How would you help me to live in my own place
• How long would it take for you to start working with me?
• Who are the staff people who would be helping me?
• Can I pick the staff person I want to work with me?
• If I need help at night or on the weekend, who would I call?
• Have you ever stopped support services for someone? Why?
• What would you expect from me?
• Are there other people who you have supported that I could call?
• Is there anything else I should know about your agency?

After you call, take a few minutes and —

Write down the things you like about the agency:

Write down the things that you still have questions about or are worried about:

 

Accessible Approach/Entrance

 

People with disabilities should be able to arrive on the site, approach the building, and enter as freely as everyone else. At least one route of travel should be safe and accessible for everyone, including people with disabilities.

 

Route of Travel

 

• Is there a route of travel that does not require the use of stair.
• Is the route of travel stable, firm and slip-resistant
• Is the route at least 36 inches wide?
• Can all objects protruding into the circulation paths be detected by a person with a visual disability using a cane? (In order to be detected using a cane, an object must be within 27 inches of the ground. Objects hanging or mounted overhead must be higher than 80 inches to provide clear head room. It is not necessary to remove objects that protrude less than 4 inches from the wall.)Do curbs on the route have curb cuts at drives, parking, and drop-offs?

 

Ramps

 

• Are the slopes of ramps no greater than 1:12? (Slope is given as a ratio of the height to the length. 1:12 means for every 12 inches along the base of the ramp, the height increases one inch. For a 1:12 maximum slope, at least one foot of ramp length is needed for each inch of height.)