"Our vision is of a society that values each individual
and provides the opportunity for all people
to lead full and productive lives"

Learn more about the Silcock Family

Learning Activities of Daily Living
 

First Step Supported Living Services (FSSLS) provides consumers support and training in the area of daily living skills. For most consumers using supported living services, independent daily living skills is an area of severe deficit. Some consumers can gain increased independence with training and support, other consumers do not have the physical ability to ever be independent. FSSLS provides training and support so that each consumer is able to live with the least amount of support necessary.

It is the commitment of FSSLS to maximize consumer independence and fade paid support whenever possible. FSSLS staff provide on-going daily living skills training in the natural environment of the consumers home. With training and encouragement, some of our consumers will increase their daily living skills. In most cases, however, FSSLS consumers will always need a significant amount of support to live safely in their home.

Thus consumers, who are unable to be completely independent, work along side their support staff to assist in all of the necessary household tasks. Consumers are encouraged to do as much for themselves as they are able and they are reminded that support staff are available to assist them only in the areas in which they are unable to be independent. It is the philosophy of FSSLS that every member of the household share in the care and maintenance of the home. Generally consumers have such pride of ownership that they eagerly participate in most aspects of running their household.

All consumers learn to menu plan, shop and cook to the best of their ability. With this training, naturally comes discussion of safe food handling, food groups and healthy eating. Consumers are always urged to eat a well-balanced diet and to understand and follow specific dietary restriction as prescribed. Additionally, consumers and their roommates work together to maintain an orderly and clean home. Consumers are taught how to manage their personal care items and laundry. Roommate and consumers work together on the household budget. Whenever possible, consumers participate in scheduling their own medical appointments, transportation requests, and visits with social workers.

FSSLS staff also provide total assistance in the area of daily living for consumers who require this level of support. Even consumers who are unable to gain independent daily living skills due to physical or cognitive disabilities are encouraged to make choices about their lives. FSSLS staff support consumer choice in every aspect of life. A consumer requiring this level of support are taught to make choices about everything from the clothing he or she wears to the laundry detergent he or she uses. As consumers learn to feel confident with making choices about their own lives, a definite increase in their self-determination skills evolve.