Last Updated on March 15, 2018
Services for independent living are available to help people stay in their home longer than they would be able to otherwise. Williams Lifts provides one of those types of services through mobility equipment, which I will go into in more detail later.
For the most part, this article will shine a light on other types of services for independent living– such as independent living skills training, in-home aids, and agencies that can provide independent living resources. Here is a look at each of these types of services.
An Overview of Services for Independent Living
Independent Living Skills Training
Independent living skills training is designed to help people increase their self-reliance and independence. Through various training programs, individuals can maximize their ability to lead happy and productive lives in their own homes and communities.
Training programs are typically developed to meet the specific needs of an individual, which is why it’s important to first establish goals that should be achieved through training. Training goals could include, but are certainly not limited to:
- Learning how to create a budget, manage money, and establish a routine for paying bills.
- Improving household management skills such as meal planning, cooking, safety, and personal hygiene.
- Understanding one’s rights as a consumer and becoming more assertive when exercising those rights.
- Utilizing community transportation and other available services.
Training can take place one-on-one in an individual’s home. Alternatively, group training programs are also available which come with the added benefit of regular social activity.
Independent Living Aids
In-home aids are designed to help individuals do more on their own in daily home life. From protecting personal safety to performing tasks, independent living aids can help people accomplish more with less assistance from others. Examples of in-home aids include:
- Bathroom Aids: Safety bars to hold onto in slippery areas, bath and shower chairs to prevent falls, raised toilet seats for easier sitting and standing.
- Bedroom Aids: Rollaway bedside tables, bedside rails, dressing sticks.
- General Living Aids: Pill organizers, reaching sticks, safety alarms.
Thanks to advancements in connected technology, in-home aids are a rapidly developing product category right now. Knowing how to use a modern day smartphone can open up a world of new options. Learning how to do something as simple as making video calls can vastly improve quality of life when aging in place.
Independent Living Agencies
Individual states and communities have their own independent living agencies that are dedicated to helping elderly and disabled people live independently in their own home. People can turn to these agencies for resources, peer support, advocacy, and transition services.
Mobility Aids
Mobility aids, such as ramps and stairlifts, can be installed in and around one’s home to help individuals move around more freely and overcome obstacles. One of the key services for independent living provided by Williams Lifts is sales and installation of such equipment.
Alternatively, people can rent equipment from us on a month-to-month basis. This also includes installation and removal of equipment. Renting is an ideal option when you’re not yet ready to buy, or only need the equipment for a limited period of time. For more information, please look into our stairlift rentals.