What is Independent Living? Here is All About Independent Living
Independent Living
While many people think that independent living means living alone with a disability, it is a phrase that describes how a disabled or the older person should be able to live with the same freedoms and control as the non-disabled person. With the help of additional products and the services that can aid mobility and independence, a person with the disability should be able to complete tasks many people take for granted, such as taking a shower.
Therefore, independent living can include getting home help, such as a caregiver, to help you with specific tasks, using a disability vehicle modified to make driving easier, or installing an elevator to safely take you up and down stairs.
How do disabilities affect people's lives?
The impact of a disability on a person will vary depending on their condition.
A person with the physical disability may struggle to participate in certain activities, including sports and other forms of exercise, and may find it challenging to move from one place to another. Wheelchair users may also need to change their homes; for example, ramps may be the requirement, work surfaces will likely need to be the lowered, and door frames widened. In addition, a person with a physical disability may find it difficult to complete activities that used to be part of their routine, such as brushing their teeth and washing and brushing the dishes.
For someone with the mental disability, the effects can be very different. They may have the physical abilities to do the above things but struggle to understand these concepts or acquire new information. This can often lead to the frustration and anger because they cannot complete actions that others seem to be done without problems. That's why they may need help, both at home and abroad.
How to start living independently
If you have a mental or the physical disability, you may want to live the more independent life.
The first step is to understand that you still need help with certain aspects of your life. This is not a bad thing. Alternatively, it will be easier for you to live with a disability, and you may find relief from having someone around you. This can make a caregiver the best solution if you want to adopt independent living. For example, you can have someone come home every day and help you wash, get dressed, or cook dinner. Eliminating the pressure to complete these tasks can make you happier and make your life easier.
If you considered the hardware that can simplify complex tasks. This includes grabbers and access aids when something is dropped, sock aids that allow you to wear socks without bending over, and personal alerts if an accident means you need help. In addition, many computer tools can be installed if you are visually impaired, including screen readers, screen magnification applications, and voice recognition software. All these things allow you to use standard technology, such as cell phones and laptops, even though you have a disability.
What is the difference between the assisted living and independent living?
If you're looking for ways to stay home independent, you may come across the term "assisted living." So how is assisted living different from independent living?
Assisted living includes moving from your home to a specialized complex that offers services and facilities such as nurses, caregivers, support staff, organized activities, and shared lounges. These complexes feature self-contained accommodation, like an apartment, with your front door so you feel at home but with the bonus of having staff available whenever you need them. In addition, they are usually equipped with additional equipment that can help you further, including power or high chairs. You can live alone or with a partner.
You can benefit from this type of care if you have low-level needs that may or may not get worse, such as mobility problems or memory loss.
In contrast, independent living allows you to stay at home without going out. You can still get all the help you need through in-home caregivers, but they may not be available 24/7. This is why some people prefer assisted living.