Independent Living Services (ILS) offers a range of Medicaid and non-Medicaid services to individuals of any age who require consultation or assistance to maintain and maximize functional capacity within their own homes or other independent living arrangements. More than 45,000 persons per month received ILS during 1999.

The goals of ILS are:

• To support customer self-determination by arranging services appropriate to the individual
• To encourage the development of maximum independence by authorizing services and assistive devices that enhance the individual's functional ability
• To promote natural support systems by enhancing the individual's person-centered approach to case planning
• To advocate for customers

Adult Services workers serve as Independent Living Services Specialists and advocates for individuals needing services through a person centered planning process which identifies all available individual and community resources to meet the array of needs presented by our customers.

Service Available

A range of services are available without regard to income or assets upon request to individuals who need assistance. Those services include:

• Information and referral
• Protection (for adults in need of a guardian or conservator but who are not in immediate need of protective services intervention)
• Counseling
• Education
• Employment and Training
• Health Related
• Money Management

Medicaid related services are unskilled, non-specialized personal care services available to those customers who meet eligibility requirements. Home Help Services (HHS) assist functionally limited individuals to remain in their independent settings for as long as possible and cover activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs).

ADLs

• Eating
• Toileting
• Bathing
• Grooming
• Dressing
• Transferring
• Mobility

IADLs

• Taking medication
• Meal preparation
• Laundry
• Housework
• Shopping and errands

Program Outcomes

• Every service recipient will be safely maintained in his/her own home
• As functionality declines, progressively increased supports will be offered to enable the customer to remain in the least restrictive setting
• 95% of all customers will express satisfaction with the quality of their lives and with the personal care services arranged through Home Help.

For additional information on Adult Independent Living Services, contact your local Department of Human Services office.