Supported living services can change lives. They can enable an adult with learning disabilities to achieve the life of independence they have always dreamed about. They can support individuals to do more and be a part of their local communities.
What is supported living?
Supported living helps young adults with learning disabilities to live independently. The support is tailored to requirements. It can be provided in their own homes if they are tenants or in assisted living accommodation.
There are two types of supported living service: accommodation and personal care. They can be delivered together to promote independence and community integration into the area where they live.
Types of supported living accommodation
Supported living services can help you to live in your own flat. This is often a council property with security and may also have a property warden.
Shared living can be in a house and the residents live in the shared living accommodation as if they were a family. They each have their own bedroom and they share chores and make meals together. The idea is that residents that need a similar amount of support will live together.
A variation on shared living is when the residents have their own flat, which is a private space. Other areas of the property are shared e.g. kitchens and living rooms and other communal areas.
The benefits of supported living for adults with learning disabilities
Supported living provides a safe environment for a young adult or vulnerable adult to live more independently. It can provide the first step away from a family home or a transition from a formal healthcare environment e.g. hospital.
Supported living services can be tailored to an individual’s needs. The resident can be moved into the right accommodation type to suit their capability. And support services can assist them with daily tasks that they need help with.
Supported living helps adults with learning disabilities to form social connections with others. It can encourage them to become part of their local community. One of services we offer is to enable those with sensory disabilities or learning disabilities to access local community events and go on outings.
Supported living services
Jothno Care & Support can help adults with learning difficulties with many everyday tasks. These can include:
- Domiciliary care – managing a home and making sure that it is kept clean and tidy.
- Personal care – helping with bathing, dressing and toileting.
- Mobility – help with standing, sitting and moving around the accommodation. Or assisting a wheelchair user.
- Financial management – reading bills and letters. Helping the resident access services to help with budgeting and banking.
- Community access – transport and mobility support or simply accompanying the user to regular classes or days out. Carers can help with accessing education, work or volunteering opportunities.
- Meal preparation – helping the user to go shopping and choose healthy food, prepare it and eat it.
- Medication management – controlling and measuring medication. Dispensing it when it is needed so that the user is safe and doesn’t have to remember when to take medications.
Choose the right supported living service
It is important to find the right balance between accommodation type and supported living service to enable independence and improve quality of life. This means thinking about what the individual needs and wants and how much help they need on a daily basis.
Quality standards and regulations
Supported living services in the UK must meet stringent standards set by regulatory bodies like the Care Quality Commission. Jothno Care & Support carers are trained to provide a high quality of care and to uphold our standards to provide the best possible care and support.
How to access supported living services
Talk to housing associations about what local accommodation is available. Jothno Care & Support can assist with finding accommodation and with providing supported living services in the home.
We are experienced at helping adults with learning disabilities with supported living services that allow them to gain confidence, life skills and a sense of belonging in their local community.