Many people with disabilities can become frustrated by the lack of freedom that they experience living in their family home. Unfortunately, most of the time it’s their only housing choice – unless they are given the option of Supported Independent Living (SIL). If you qualify for SIL, then it can change your entire life, and make it possible for you to enjoy a more independent lifestyle. Read on to learn more about the multiple benefits that someone with a disability can experience when they live in SIL accommodation. 

1.) Freedom

Freedom is one of the main benefits you will experience when moving into Supported Independent Living (SIL), and it’s also usually the motivation behind the decision. For someone living with a disability, SIL can be one of the only ways that they are able to achieve independence, as they require the assistance of support services in order to carry out daily tasks. In SIL housing, residents can control their lifestyle, participate in their own chosen activities and create a space of their own – instead of having to stay in the family home. Even though your family may be happy to support you at home, it’s always nice to gain some autonomy and freedom in your life. 

2.) Friendship

Living at home can be quite isolating, especially if you don’t have a job or attend many social activities. So, Supported Independent Living can provide a great opportunity for people living with disabilities to meet new people and socialise by making friends with their housemates. With communal areas like the living room and kitchen, you will have easy, ready-made scenarios for meeting your housemates and bonding, which is perfect for someone who has some social anxiety and struggles with high-pressure situations. Socialising has a positive impact on mental health, and the result of this lifestyle change could be that you start to go out and participate in the community more as well. 

3.) Opportunities

When you rely on family members to help with daily tasks, it means you’re limited by where and how they live. But when you have the option of moving into Supported Independent Living, you can make choices that improve your access to new opportunities. For instance, you could choose housing that is closer to a place you would like to work, which would increase your likelihood of acquiring the job you want. Also, you can reflect on your priorities and decide what you can do to make your life more rewarding – such as being closer to recreational activities you enjoy. 

4.) Safety

One of the important reasons that Supported Independent Living is such a good option, is because it offers freedom and opportunity for those living with a disability, while ensuring that they will still be safe. In SIL housing, you have support workers to assist with anything you find challenging, and they are also present to provide assistance in emergency situations. If anything goes wrong, the support workers can come immediately and give medical attention.This is one of the reasons why it’s much safer for people living with disabilities to live in SIL housing rather than living independently without support. 

5.) Support

 

Each Supported Independent Living household is designed specifically for the residents’ needs, with tailored support services. Whether you have high needs, and require someone to be on call 24 hours a day, or you have low needs and are aiming to lessen support as you work towards more independence – the SIL housing services will be tailored to your requirements. Instead of not being able to move out of home, or moving into housing where there is no live-in support and assistance with daily tasks, people living with disabilities can receive specially designed support services that suit their needs and allow for independence. 

How Is Supported Independent Living Different From Other Disability Accommodation? 

Supported Independent Living is unique, as it refers to when someone living with a disability receives specialised on-site support services. Other traditional disability accommodation, such as Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA), describes housing that is structurally designed to suit a person’s disability needs. Often SIL will be shared housing that is organised by a disability support organisation, but it can also be used when someone is living independently in their own home. SDA is usually reserved for people who have high needs, and are unable to live in traditional housing. 

Choose A Trusted SIL Provider

When you’re taking that leap and moving into a new chapter of your life, you will want to be in safe hands. The team at your Supported Independent Living housing will be replacing trusted family members as your primary support, and so you need to choose a reliable disability services provider to carry out these services. You can ask them about what they offer in their Supported Independent Living housing, and what changes they can make to the supports to suit your needs. Find a SIL provider with experience, and the right support options for your disability requirements.