Print Page

Independent Living Information for Seniors and Disabled

Updated/Revised Date: 2022/04/06
Author: Disabled World - Contact Details
Related: Subtopics - Latest Items - Full List [8 Items]

On This Page: Summary - Main Article - About

Synopsis: Information regarding independent living for seniors and people with disabilities including advice, disability support and training. Independent Living means being in control of your own life, taking responsibility for your actions, taking risks, and either failing or succeeding on your terms. In the Independent Living philosophy, disabled people are primarily seen as citizens and only secondarily as consumers of healthcare, rehabilitation or social services.

Main Document

Independent Living:

As seen by its advocates, it is a philosophy, a way of looking at disability and society, and a worldwide movement of people with disabilities working for self-determination, self-respect and equal opportunities. In the context of eldercare, independent living is seen as a step in the continuum of care, with assisted living being the next step.

advertisement

Independent Senior Living:

Also known as retirement communities, senior living communities or independent retirement communities, are housing designed for seniors 55 and older. Independent senior living communities commonly provide apartments, but some also offer cottages, condominiums, and single-family homes. Residents are seniors who do not require assistance with daily activities or 24/7 skilled nursing but may benefit from convenient services, senior-friendly surroundings, and increased social opportunities that independent senior living communities offer.

An assisted living residence or assisted living facility (ALF) is a housing facility for people with disabilities. These facilities provide supervision or assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs); coordination of services by outside health care providers; and monitoring of resident activities to help to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Assistance may include the administration or supervision of medication, or personal care services provided by a trained staff person.

Other Names for Independent Living Include:

In 1972, the first Center for Independent Living was founded by disability activists, led by Ed Roberts, in Berkeley, California. These Centers were created to offer peer support and role modeling, and are run and controlled by persons with disabilities.

According to the Independent Living approach, the example of a peer, somebody who has been in a similar situation, can be more powerful than a non-disabled professional's interventions in analyzing one's situation, in assuming responsibility for one's life and in developing coping strategies.

Solutions include information, advice, support, and training about suitable assistive technology and equipment, funding options, assessment and referral pathways, linking to community services and respite options. Services are accessed by people with disability, older people, their carers, service providers, health professionals, educators and suppliers, and Home and Community Care services providers via Respite and Carelink Centers.

Article continues below image.

Independent Living Centre in Thunder Bay, Ontario
Independent Living Centre in Thunder Bay, Ontario
Continued...

Independent Living means being in control of your own life, taking responsibility for your actions, taking risks, and either failing or succeeding on your terms. It means participating in community life and pursuing activities based entirely upon self-determined interests and preferences. To support these goals, Independent Living Centers help individuals of all ages with all types of disability to obtain whatever services they need to preserve their right to choose and to fully and equally participate in society.

In the Independent Living philosophy, disabled people are primarily seen as citizens and only secondarily as consumers of healthcare, rehabilitation or social services. As citizens in democratic societies, the IL Movement claims, persons with disabilities have the same right to participation, to the same range of options, degree of freedom, control, and self-determination in everyday life and life projects that other citizens take for granted. Thus, Independent Living activists demand the removal of infrastructural, institutional and attitudinal barriers and the adoption of the Universal Design principle.

According to the Independent Living Movement, with peer support, everyone - including persons with extensive developmental disabilities - can learn to take more initiative and control over their lives. For example, peer support is used in Independent Living Skills classes, where people living with their families or in institutions learn how to run their everyday lives preparing for living by themselves.

Currently some two million Americans with disabilities are confined in nursing homes, care facilities, and other institutions not because that is what they want or need, but because that's what the government will pay for.

Types of Independent Senior Living

Share This Information To:
𝕏.com Facebook Reddit

Subtopics and Associated Subjects


Latest Publications

advertisement

Information, Citing and Disclaimer

Disabled World is an independent disability community founded in 2004 to provide disability news and information to people with disabilities, seniors, their family and/or carers. See our homepage for informative reviews, exclusive stories and how-tos. You can connect with us on social media such as X.com and our Facebook page.


Permalink: <a href="https://www.disabled-world.com/disability/living/">Independent Living Information for Seniors and Disabled</a>


Cite This Page (APA): Disabled World. (2022, April 6). Independent Living Information for Seniors and Disabled. Disabled World. Retrieved September 30, 2023 from www.disabled-world.com/disability/living/

Disabled World provides general information only. The materials presented are never meant to substitute for qualified professional medical care, nor should they be construed as such. Funding is derived from advertisements or referral programs. Any 3rd party offering or advertising does not constitute an endorsement.