At Beloved Care Services, we care Where we live, who we live with and the supports to live the life we want are very important to everyone.

Individual Living Options (ILO) are focussed on working with the participant and their family to consider their needs and preferences, and design a flexible package of supports. Implementation often happens in stages and the package includes a primary support approach and supplementary supports. Once established the living arrangement is closely monitored and fine-tuned.

The following describe a variety of living arrangements under the ILO heading.

1) Hosts – living with a supporting family or individual in their home.

2) Co-residents – a support worker lives with a person needing support and receives free or discounted rent and provides support.

3) Living Together with a Supporting Friend – sharing with a friend who provides support.

4) Living Together, Sharing NDIS Participants – two or more NDIS participants live together and share supports, living how they want.

5) Living Together, Sharing NDIS Participants with Co-resident – as above, but a Co-resident lives the house to provide additional support.

6) Living Together, Supporting Families – families who live with and provide support, but get additional assistance to make things sustainable.

7) Friendly Neighbours – a person who lives nearby and assists build connections into the community.

8) Circle of Support – volunteers supporting a person with a disability to live more independently.

Who is eligible to receive ILO support?

ILO is appropriate for people requiring professional or informal assistance for at least 6 hours daily. In other words, it is ideal for those who need occasional support, rather than full-support.

Additionally, you must be at least 18 years old and ready to research your future home independently.

What type of support can be utilised alongside independent living?

In a nutshell, independent living options can include::

• Living in one’s own home or apartment
• Participating in shared or host living arrangements
• Receiving in-home support services such as personal care, cooking, cleaning and even emotional support
• Developing social skills and participate in recreational or community activities
• Having access to transportation and other community resources.

Supported Independent Living (SIL) versus Independent Living Options (ILO)?

Supported independent living is appropriate for people who require higher levels of assistance, including 24-hour care. It primarily refers to shared living situations and often entails paid personal support.

ILO, on the other hand, is appropriate for people who prefer periodic extra help rather than round-the-clock care.

Is it possible for someone in a supported living option to pursue ILO?

Assistance adjustments are possible, including increasing, decreasing, or switching priorities. The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is aware that the conditions under which you require disability support may evolve over time. Consequently, they will conduct a plan review and develop a new approach if significant changes are necessary.

Ultimately, the goal of someone living in supported independent living is to transition into other living options eventually

How should an NDIS participant go about obtaining ILO?

Obtaining an ILO support package consists of two steps:

Exploration and Designing

To begin, you must determine which supports are appropriate for you and the steps necessary to put those supports in place. Finding suitable housing and connecting you to other funded, community, or mainstream services may be part of this.

Implementation

The next step is implementing those supports using the funds allotted in your NDIS plan. It may include formal and informal support, such as help from family, friends, or the community.

An ILO package also includes resource monitoring and redesign to ensure you receive the required assistance. But to obtain NDIS funding for this phase, a quote from ILO providers is necessary to check if the allocated funds are used for their stated purpose.

You could carry out these steps with or without the assistance of a service provider. ILO providers, on the other hand, are critical in assisting you in establishing your ILO package. They can assist in outlining the roles and responsibilities of the primary, supplementary, formal, and informal supports, which should be documented in agreements that you are comfortable with.

Beloved Care Services — supporting you to pursue independence

Beloved Care Services is a reputable ILO provider with a well-thought-out flexible service model that supports independent and shared living options. Our disability accommodation options are professionally managed with your safety, privacy, and comfort in mind, allowing you to relax and enjoy your independence worry-free.

Furthermore, you also get access to all Beloved Care Services, including Community Participation,  and Support Coordination.

All of our support staff at Beloved Care Services have extensive training in medication and are competent to deliver insulin if required. Additionally, they are skilled in Positive Behaviour Support and incident management. Complex diebetes management and wound care can also be delivered if the client requires it as part of their care plan.

If you have any other questions about ILO, your eligibility, and how it can benefit you, please don’t hesitate to contact us.