What are Residential Services and why do they matter in Washington, Iowa?
For many individuals with disabilities, living independently can feel daunting. That’s where residential services come in. Residential services assist with developing life skills, increasing confidence, and providing the support needed for safe daily living– ultimately smoothing the road towards independent living. These services play a critical role in the first part of our mission– empowering individuals with disabilities to live, work, and thrive in their community.
These services are more than simply providing a safe living environment. They prepare individuals for independent living through skill-building and staff support. Through residential services individuals can learn the skills needed to live independently and thrive in their communities.
Knowing how residential services benefit individuals with barriers to independence can help families, community members, and guardians understand the true impact the programs have on confidence and community involvement.
What are residential services?
Residential services are site-based services that provide individuals with the support they need for independent daily living. Rather than focusing on hourly-based services or day programming, our five, soon to be seven, residential sites focus on providing 24 hour support.
The goal of residential services in Washington Iowa is to help individuals gain greater independence while improving overall quality of life and future opportunities.
What support does residential services include?
The supports in residential services vary for each individual in accordance with their personalized plan. Individuals in our residential services may receive support with:
Personal care and hygiene
Meal planning and preparation
Household chores and home maintenance
Medication reminders or support
Budgeting and money management
Transportation to appointments and community activities
Building daily routines
Developing independent living skills
The goal is to provide personalized support to individuals whilst still fostering independence and providing skill-building opportunities.
Benefits of residential services:
Residential services are more than just supported living, they create new opportunities for community involvement and skill building daily. Some of the benefits include:
Increased confidence through learning new skills
Greater independence in everyday life
Safe, supportive living environments
Stronger connections within the community
Individualized support based on personal goals
Each individual’s journey towards independent living looks different, and our residential services are designed to support individuals at their own pace.
How Residential Services Promote Independence
A common misconception is that residential services decrease independence. However, the truth is far from that. Residential services meet individuals where they are at and promote independence by building life skills, with the goal of becoming as independent as possible.
Our staff encourage individuals to make their own choices, develop problem-solving skills, create and manage daily routines, and participate actively in their community. With staff support individual confidence grows, and eventually they begin to take on new tasks and responsibilities.
Why Residential Services Matter:
Everyone deserves the opportunity to live with dignity and the ability to make independent, self-directed choices. Our residential services provide the support individuals need to achieve their goals whilst keeping them safe and respecting their independence.
Focusing on skill development, independence, and community integration creates opportunities for the individuals to become increasingly independent and make lasting community connections.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can benefit from residential services?
Residential services are designed for adults with disabilities who would benefit from support with daily living activities, independent living skills, or community participation.
Are residential services personalized?
Yes. Services are tailored to each individual's service plan: including unique goals, strengths, preferences, and support needs.
Do residential services encourage independence?
Absolutely. The goal is to help individuals build confidence through the needed skill-building to live as independently as possible, all while receiving appropriate support.
What types of activities are included?
Depending on individual needs, services may include assistance with hygiene or personal care, meal preparation and planning, transportation, budgeting and money management, common household responsibilities, community outings, and developing overall independent living skills.
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