Living with a disability or a mental illness can change how you look at the world around you. Most importantly – how you fit into it. A simple option like living independently can be quite a faraway dream, just because of the presence of this disability. But it doesn’t have to be. One of the problems that all of us are faced with today is that we compare our lives to everyone else’s. As encouraging as this can sometimes be sometimes to challenge you to try and do more, or do something new; it can also be quite damaging. You are the only one going through what you are. Don’t ignore your need and goals.
How can I live independently if I’m sometimes scared to be alone?
If I want to have my own space but occasionally would like to enjoy company? What do I do if I’m happy spending a lot of time by myself but know that I need help with some things? Questions like these are asked more frequently than you think, by people with a disability and without! Supported Independent Living (SIL) could be just up your alley.
At Cosy Home & Community Care, we understand how the backstories in our heads can sometimes keep us from making choices that would help put us more in control of our lives. If you do want to live independently, we offer Supported Independent Living (SIL) services that can help you confidently make the switch. Not only are there options for the ways you can adopt SIL, but you will also have a dedicated team of support to help you through the process, whenever you do need it- 24/7. All you have to do is express interest in including Supported Independent Living (SIL) in your NDIS plan at the planning meeting, and we’ll take care of the rest.
What kind of Supported Independent Living (SIL) service suits me best?
Cosy Home & Community Care knows that uncontrollable circumstances are no reason to accept that this is how it’s going to be. Support through your journey is the main objective that flows through Supported Independent Living (SIL). We offer three main plans under the SIL services, that are as unique as people’s personalities. Even within these options, there is always room to tailor the service of your choice according to your lifestyle requirements and goals. We understand that you should be the one getting the best out of the service you choose.
The services provided under the SIL are:
- Independent Living: You don’t need to change houses to live independently. Our team is available to help you in your own home, through the lifestyle you lead and assist you in learning independent living activities of your choice. You can also avail of this service to learn a new skill like a new way to cook, how to budget, for support to travel and ways to access the community.
- Shared Living: In this shared independent living option, you get to move into a shared home with people who share interests like you. High compatibility is also a key factor that helps match you to find the right shared living space. In addition to having good company in your living space while still living independently, support is tailored according to the skills you want to develop.
- In-Home Respite Care: This option allows you to live in your own home with an available team to assist you with whatever you need. You choose the tasks and how long you’d like the team to assist you with them. This option is also designed for people who want to give their personal and family carers a break from how much they help in the house. Breaks are important- for you and the people around you.
Skills you can learn with Supported Independent Living (SIL)
Availing of any of the options within Supported Independent Living (SIL) will equip you with skills to be able to live fuller lives with more choice. We are always interested in understanding you more to help you better. We also encourage you to step forward with skills you may have in mind that you want to learn and may not be on the list.
- Household maintenance
- Budgeting and Finance Management
- Cooking, cleaning and shopping
- Using public transport for social and medical appointments
- Becoming more active in social and recreational activities while developing strong lasting community connections
What Supported Independent Living (SIL) can do for me?
Making the choice to switch to Supported Independent Living (SIL) with Cosy Home & Community Care can not only equip you with to live with more control over your own life; but also empower you through it.
- Empowering Independence: You are at the centre of our support programs and they are designed to help you realise how you are the centre of your own life. Regaining the sense of autonomy through your journey not only helps develop skills but enhances the personal elements that go with any activity. Some of these personal elements are ways to communicate, confidence through challenges, openness to new experiences, the ability to try new social and recreational activities, the feeling of freedom, etc.
- Support and Guidance: Living with a disability shouldn’t become a crutch upon your dreams. We intend our support and guidance provided help you understand that although the way to achieve your dream may need tweaking, the dream never dies- you just change how you want it to live. As you learn to become more independent, you have on your way, experts experienced in different fields to consult and work with no matter what you journey through. We also offer extended physical support for those needing equipment to help function through the day. It is important to remember how this support is an aid, not a barrier to your living.
- Strong Connection: Sometimes you want to experience something new, but don’t have dare to try it. Sometimes you want to share a part of your lives with people, but don’t know where to start; don’t know how to give that part of you without being asked about it first. We understand these little anxieties that sometimes push us to put up walls around us. Our support plans are designed to motivate you to be an active participant in social, recreational, community and outdoor activities you wouldn’t normally do on your own. Our team isn’t just assigned to you blindly, they are chosen based on the chemistry and openness you have with each other to be able to experience these things.
