Families and carers play an important role

Story credit: Nelson Liu at the West Australian. Wednesday, August 28 – Independent Living Lifout.

While the journey to independent living can be a daunting experience for people with disability, loved ones and carers can ensure they are well supported during the transition process.

“Family, friends and carers can play a crucial role in preparing people with disability for in-home
or assisted accommodation by gradually introducing them to new environments and experiences,” Rocky Bay Chief Accommodation Officer Jane Edmond said.

“Contributing to such a major milestone provides a sense of confidence they will have provided
the best information and support for their loved one.”

Ms Edmond said families were the biggest support for people with disability, by providing emotional support during a transition to in home and assisted accommodation.

“For many, this journey is deeply emotional, with families heavily involved in the process,” she said.

“Families can play a vital role in supporting the transition to independent living by allowing the
individual to grow at their own pace and adjusting their role from carer to a more traditional family dynamic.

“Maintaining a positive attitude about the move is key, helping to frame it as a positive step in their
loved one’s life.”

As the people who know their loved one best, family members can provide an insight into what will
best help them.

“Families can also assist by helping to create tailored support plans that capture the individual’s needs and facilitate regular visits to help them become familiar with thenew location, housemates and staff before the move,” Ms Edmond said.

Ms Edmond said carers put knowledge of requirements into action by facilitating those needs.

“Support workers play a key role in this transition, especially longterm support staff who bring a
sense of familiarity to customers as they embark on this important life change,” she said.

“For long-term support workers, they will have had the opportunity to impart their knowledge of
how the customer wants to be supported.”

Ms Edmond said Rocky Bay encouraged peace of mind among people with disability and their
families through a comprehensive process that ensured each facet was easy to understand.

“From the outset, our team engages with families, carefully reviewing all relevant information and
supporting documents, such as functional assessments to ensure a comprehensive understanding of each individual’s needs,” she said.

“We guide families through the complexities of NDIS funding, ensuring the process is as smooth as
possible.

“Our team is here to offer both practical guidance and emotional support during this critical time.”

While individuals can be unsure if the transition is right for them, Ms Edmond said a trial in respite
and short-term accommodation can help them adjust while they developed life skills that enhanced their independence.

“This preparation also empowers them to make informed choices about their living arrangements, rather than having to react to unexpected changes in family support, which unfortunately is often the case for many,” she said.

View the full online article by The West Australian here: https://info.thewest.com.au/westadvertising/feature/28082024/index.html

Find out more about Rocky Bay’s Disability Housing and Accommodation options here: https://www.rockybay.org.au/services/accommodation/