| Lifestyle Services |
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The goal of Lifestyle Support Services is to provide a variety of self directed residential support options. A full range of support is provided in response to individual requests. Support is reflective of each person's interests and goals and provided in a manner, which fosters independence. Involvement of the person's family and friends is of paramount importance. In general, Lifestyle Support Services assists people to further develop skills, interests and friendships through experiences in their community. Specifically, this support option assists people in choosing, setting up and maintaining a living situation that meets their specific needs and personal preferences. The Association provides support staff and pays all expenses related to staffing. People live in their own homes or apartments and receive the amount of support, which reflects their individual interests, needs and goals. They pay all costs related to the maintenance of their home i.e. room and board, rent, utilities, furnishings, food, supplies and other living expenses. Small groups of people live together and some live alone if they so choose. There currently 48 homes in the Norfolk area where Lifestyle Services are provided. The majority of homes are in Simcoe, as this appears to be the hub of our rural community. Homes, however also exist in Port Dover, St. Williams and Waterford. A variety of support options exist and are described in the following paragraphs. The Association is committed to providing whatever type of Lifestyle Support a person requests in relation to the available funding. The support options, which exist, are based on expressed need. People receiving Tenant Support live either by themselves or share accommodation with one or two other persons. They may receive as little as 2 hours of support per week or up to forty hours of support per week. This depends on the person and their specific interests, needs and goals. Usually, staff assists with medications, meal preparation, grocery shopping, housekeeping and other daily living requirements. People have demonstrated that they are comfortable and have the skills to be alone for long periods of time. If a person becomes ill or for whatever reason requires additional support, the Association provides the extra support necessary during these times. Family Home arrangements include Family Home Providers who share accommodations with a person involved (home sharer) with the agency. The Family Home providers are responsible for providing emotional support and assisting the person with day-to-day living skills. The home sharer is welcomed into and becomes an integral part of the family unit. Two types of Family Home arrangements exist. Individual Family Home Providers can live in an apartment rented by the person and share food and utility costs. Alternatively, Family Home could include an individual or family who choose to share their home on an enhanced room and board basis. All Family Home Providers are paid on a contractual basis. In-Home Support was designed to meet the needs of adults who live, and choose to remain living, with their family. It was developed as a result of requests from families who wished to see their sons or daughters continue living at home, staff support within the home being a necessary requirement. Up to three hours per day of support is provided in the areas of recreation, cooking, home maintenance, budgeting and community awareness. In general, Community Support includes staff being present whenever a person is at home (usually 16 hours per day). People involved need a high level of support to meet their day-to-day needs and goals and live with two to three housemates. Most people are involved in a career support service also operated by the Association. The residential option of Holistic Support is similar to the Community Support option with a few main differences. The involved people are not usually involved with any other support service. Activities take place during the day based on the needs and aspirations of the people involved. People involved require differing levels of support to meet their day to day needs and goals and can live with one to four housemates This option has additional staffing incorporated to facilitate maximum community involvement. Respite Services are offered to people who live at home with their families to give their caregivers a much-needed break. Residential Respite is available for individuals for periods of up to two weeks. This option is available at two of the holistic supported homes, therefore the people who live there decided from the applicants interested who would be a welcome “guest” in their home. There is a fee for those individuals utilizing this service.
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