Experience of Supported Living

[Goostacean]

Hi all, I posted a while ago about the Supported Living care provision I have been setting up. We’re in the final weeks before we begin trading, so my question is: if you gave experience of this set up, what has been good or bad? What would improve your experience and what would you like to see in such a setting? Keen to get this very right for my clients!

Hi Goostacean!

Sorry I am only just responding but only now seen your post.

My 26 yr old dd has been in a supported living environment for 6.5 years which imo is perfect.

She is in a centre compromising of 16 x 1 bedroomed apartments. Each apartment has their own telephone, TVs, appliances, meters for utilities but also cost of things like Broadband etc. is split between each service user as this is widely available throughout the centre. You can either use the support workers on site - who are amazing - but you can employ a private care package from outside if preferred. My dd is in a team of approx 10 support workers from the centre so she has excellent continuity. Each team hold regular meetings to ensure everyone is "Singing from the same hymn sheet" which is hugely important for someone like my dd who has sld but is also severely autistic.

Doctors and dentists visit service users in their own home where they are unable to visit the surgery. The centre has a terrific relationship with these local services as well as the hospital - only 10 mins drive away - which again has proved so necessary in the past as my dd also suffer from a highly unusual in intractable form of epilepsy.

We normally see our dd 4 times per week as she is only 25 mins drive from home - a Godsend - but we can't visit at present, of course, as the centre is on 12 week lockdown but her team keep in regular contact with us. Very difficult but understandable!

I really hope the above helps in some small way but please feel free to pm me should you need further info.

and intractable

Hello,

My 20 year old son is currently in residential provision, but he is transitioning to supported living run by the same providers. The supported provision comprises single flats, but there is a communal area downstairs. There is also someone in the office, if individuals need this. All people who live in the flats will receive some support from support workers.

The great thing for my son is that people move to this accommodation from his home, so he already knows other people who live in the complex. The support is also delivered by people who work for the service in general. Like Rafflesway, the fact that the accommodation is quite local is very important to us because it means we can be part of my son's informal network of support.

My 25 year old disabled friend currently lives in supported living. She loves it. I love that it is not far away so I can go and visit her once a month or call or email her too. There is even a warden. Since she began living there, she has learned how to cook independently and even has made some new friends. She also enjoys the range of fun social activities that are on offer in addition. I cannot visit at the moment, so she emails me videos or pictures and we talk on the phone, or on Facebook. Her team also contact me periodically.
It is a great way to build up your independence and learn important life skills as well. I recommend asking your local council for more information on supported living schemes or see if you can find a list of assisted living schemes nationwide online along with some important contact details and a summary or description.

@Rafflesway, what county is your dd in?
I have been looking for something like that for my ds, who is currently living at home but haven't found anything remotely similar.
We are in the south east.

My ds can't really function on his own or get out and about by himself and he would need a feeling of "community" around him but I am far too scared to consider a care home.

Please pm me if u don't want to post here.

Are you still interested? Have had brilliant and not so brilliant experiences

Oh that was for OP

Rafflesway. My ds is about to start supported living in a situation that Sounds very much like your dd’s.....very encouraging to hear a positive experience. Good luck for the future x

YogaIite.....how are you getting on with search for something suitable ?
We are in the south east too.

@justthetwoofus sorry have only just returned to this board.

Has your DS moved in yet and, if so, how are you both finding things.?