Independent Living Support assists in the quality of life support, as well as equipment that enables or contributes to independent living for people with disabilities (including seniors). Equipment support is available for wheelchairs, beds, hoists, adapted furniture, vehicles, and other appropriate equipment including technologies and appliances.
More importantly, Independent Living Support provides accessible, current and relevant information for persons with disabilities and senior citizens, who are unable to easily obtain resources outside their home. It is designed to help people who want support, care, and specialized programs and services.
Providing support for a person with significant developmental delays, involved medical needs, or the frailty of age can be challenging. Often the need for 24-hour supervision and care means that several individuals must coordinate their efforts. These efforts include daily routines such as feeding, bathing, and dressing, however, this is only a portion of the care that is needeed.
Families must be sensitive to their efforts to make the best possible solutions for their loved ones. Large institutions used to only focus on medical models, eg, nursing staff evaluated health needs and perhaps a nutritionist evaluated food consumption. Secondary concerns might have been physical therapy, mobility issues, or behavioral concerns.
The need for emotional well being is now at the top of the list of considerations. Our seniors need human interaction, not only with personal assitance, but with social and recreational activities. Dealing with only the physical limitiations is not enough to ensure the best quality of life.
Community and social integration is the best goal we can achieve for a senior who requires this level of care and attention. Opportunities to see and explore the world around us, work and play side-by-side with our peers, and form deep and meaningful relationships is all a part of this bigger picture.
Seniors want and need to go out into the community and not have to be limited by feeding and medication schedules and other barriers that have been strictly formulated in their personal plans. Independent Living Support is required to address these issues and allow the seniors to live and enjoy the best possible life they can (albeit the restrictions)!