You’re ready to start living independently, but not entirely alone. Maybe you’ve lived with family or moved from one group home to another. Now, you want more independence while still getting the support you need.
Welcome to supported independent living in Melbourne. With this service, you can have your place and your own life with the backing of caring professionals. You set your schedule, make your meals, and decorate how you like. But you’re not solo – your support team helps with life skills.
Supported living allows you to steer your ship while your crew ensures you stay on course. You can finally have a home that feels like home, with the assistance required to keep you safe and thriving. Read on to learn how supported living could launch you toward your desired life.
Supported Independent Living: What Is It?
Flexibility and Choice
Supported Independent Living (SIL) allows you to live in your home with the level of support that suits your needs.
You choose where you want to live and how much assistance you require. SIL coordinators work with you to develop a tailored support plan focused on your goals and priorities.
Personalised Support
SIL provides personalised support based on your needs and wishes. Support workers can assist with daily activities like cooking, cleaning, budgeting, and transportation.
They can also provide social support by accompanying you to community events or helping you connect with local groups. The level of support changes as your needs change.
Community Connections
A significant goal of SIL is to help you build connections within your local community.
With the help of support workers, you can explore social and recreational activities in your area and find ones that match your interests. Over time, these community connections can reduce your reliance on paid support services.
Health and Wellbeing
SIL takes a holistic approach to your health and wellbeing. Support workers monitor your health and living situation to identify any issues early on.
They can also help you access medical care and health services if needed. The ultimate aim is to live safely and independently in a place you call home.
Choice and Control
SIL puts you in the driver’s seat. You choose where you want to live, who provides your support, and what that support entails.
You control the decision-making process while relying on SIL coordinators’ and support workers’ guidance and advice. The flexibility of SIL means that you can adjust support levels whenever your situation or priorities change.
What Support Looks Like in Supported Independent Living?
Help Around the Home
The main idea behind supported independent living in Melbourne is to give you the assistance you need to live comfortably in your place. This typically includes help with essential daily activities like:
- Housekeeping: Vacuuming, mopping, dusting, laundry, changing linens, cleaning bathrooms, removing trash, dishes, etc. Your support workers will handle regular chores to keep your home tidy and hygienic.
- Meal preparation: They help plan, shop for, and cook healthy meals. They can also assist you with eating if needed. Staying properly fed is crucial to your well-being and independence.
- Hygiene and personal care: Support workers help with bathing, dressing, grooming, and restroom use. They work with your unique needs and abilities to meet your care needs daily with dignity and respect.
Managing Health and Wellbeing
The support team also helps ensure your health and safety. This includes:
- Medication administration: Reminding you to take medications as prescribed, helping you obtain refills, and, in some cases, dispensing or administering medications under the guidance of your doctor.
- Monitoring health changes: Observe for changes in your health or ability levels and communicate with your healthcare providers as needed. They help ensure that even small changes are noticed and treated.
- Safety checks: Conducting daily safety checks of your home environment and equipment. They watch for risks like falls or accidents and work to minimise hazards. Your well-being is their top priority.
Social Interaction and Community Engagement
Living independently shouldn’t mean being alone or isolated. Your support workers encourage social interaction and community participation. This may involve:
- Accompanying you on social outings: Going out for coffee, shopping, dining, movies, clubs, or places of worship. Engaging with others boosts well-being and life satisfaction.
- Helping you pursue hobbies and interests: This includes assisting you in activities you enjoy and find meaningful, such as art, music, gardening, volunteering, or joining local social groups. Following your interests and passions promotes personal growth and happiness.
- Facilitating visits with family and friends: Helping plan get-togethers and providing any support needed to connect with people who matter most to you. Social bonds are vital for well-being and independence.
With the proper support, you can achieve an enriching balance of privacy and community. Supported independent living allows you to direct how much help you need and maintain as much independence as possible.
Assessing Eligibility and Finding the Right Fit
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for NDIS SIL funding, you must meet specific criteria. The NDIS will assess if you need assistance with daily activities due to a permanent disability or health condition.
You must also show that you can live independently with appropriate support. If eligible, the NDIS will fund services to assist you with daily living.
Finding SIL Providers
There are many SIL providers across Australia from which to choose. Research providers in your area to find ones that meet your needs.
Consider the types of accommodation offered, additional services provided, costs, and provider reviews from current participants. Schedule initial phone calls or meetings with some providers you’re interested in to learn more and get a feel for which is the best fit.
Questions to Ask
When meeting with potential SIL providers, come prepared with questions to determine if they’re right for you.
For example, ask about staff training and experience, opportunities for community participation, how much choice and control you’ll have over your support, and policies on privacy and visitors. It’s also important to understand their approach to risk management and how they handle emergencies.
Ensure you feel comfortable with the provider and confident in their ability to support you living independently. Don’t feel pressured to go with any provider who doesn’t seem like the perfect match. This is about finding a provider to fully support your needs and help you thrive in your home.
Finalising Your SIL Plan
Once you choose a provider, work with them to develop your final SIL plan. This plan details your goals, the support you need to achieve those goals, who will provide the support, and how everything will be funded.
Your plan should provide enough detail for all involved to clearly understand how you wish to live independently and access your community. With the right SIL plan and provider, you’ll gain freedom and control over your daily life.
What to Expect From 24/7 On-site Support?
You’re Not Alone
The most significant benefit of supported independent living is knowing help is always available. Whether it’s assistance with daily tasks like cooking meals, navigating public transit, or emergency support in times of crisis, staff provide round-the-clock care.
You can continue living independently in your own home but with the peace of mind from on-site assistance anytime you need it.
Help When You Need It
While the level of support depends on your needs, staff are there to help with daily activities that may be challenging to do alone. This could include help preparing meals, housekeeping, transportation to appointments, medication reminders, or assistance with bathing and dressing.
The goal is to empower you to do as much as possible yourself but offer help when needed so you can maintain your independence.
Safety, Security and Wellbeing
Most importantly, 24/7 staff provide safety, security and wellbeing monitoring. They conduct regular check-ins and can respond immediately in an emergency such as a fall, medical issue or home accident.
Staff also monitor for changes in health or mood that may require follow-up from healthcare professionals or counsellors. Peace of mind comes from knowing someone is always looking for your health, safety and general well-being.
A Tailored Care Plan
The level of support provided through supported independent living is tailored to your unique needs and abilities. When you start services, staff will work with you to develop a comprehensive care plan laying out your needs, health conditions, capabilities, limitations, medications, emergency contacts and more.
They will then provide the appropriate level of support and assistance to match what’s outlined in your tailored care plan. The plan is updated regularly based on your changing needs and conditions.
Supported independent living in Melbourne provides a safety net so you can continue living in your home as independently as possible for as long as possible. With 24/7 on-site staff, you’ll gain peace of mind knowing help and support are always close at hand.
Conclusion
So there you have it. Supported independent living gives you the best of both worlds – your place to call home with the freedom to live life your way, plus the reliability of support staff nearby if and when you need them.
No more isolation or reliance on family. Just an open door to a life of greater independence, dignity and choice. The NDIS has made this a reality for thousands; you’re following. With the right provider like Polaris Care, you can find the living arrangement and level of support that’s right for you. We help you set goals and control your home, rules, and life. The possibilities await – it’s time to start living.
