Residents are the primary stakeholders in a resident-driven independent living community. They have a voice in decision-making and are encouraged to use it. Residents help make decisions about how the community is run and what happens within it. Outside their own buildings, residents have access to resources for assistance with day-to-day activities such as meal preparation, medication management, and transportation needs.
But what exactly does it mean? In the simplest terms, resident-driven implies that residents are given control over the design, management, and operations of an independent living community.
It All Starts With The Residents
When it comes to resident-driven independent living communities, it all starts with the residents. The community should be built around them and their needs. They have a say in what happens there, and they can change things if they don’t like them the way they are.
But this doesn’t mean the care team is unimportant—quite the opposite! Team members play an important role in creating an environment where residents are comfortable making decisions for themselves regularly.
The Community Has To Carry Real Decision-Making Power
Residents are the key decision-makers in their lives. They have forgotten more about life than most of us will ever know, and they’ve weathered some tough situations along the way. When it comes down to it, residents are the experts on their own lives—and as such, they should be given the power to make decisions about them. Residents deserve autonomy regarding their health care, finances, and lifestyle choices because they understand what’s best for them better than anyone else does or could understand!
The Community Must Protect The Interests Of ALL Residents
The community must protect the interests of ALL residents. This is a core principle of resident-driven independent living communities (RDILCs).
The community must be a safe place for everyone who lives there, including those who are vulnerable or at risk. The RDILC should be an environment where all residents can enjoy their independence and security in their homes.
The types of support that need to be provided depend on each individual’s needs, but some examples include:
- Help with home care tasks such as meal preparation, laundry, housekeeping, and yard work;
- Transportation assistance;
- Assistance with medication management (including pills)
Residents Should Have An Equal Voice And A Role In Decisions Made For The Community
The main principle of an independent living community is that residents should have an equal voice and a role in decisions made for the community. Residents should be involved in the decision-making process; they should have a say in what is happening in the community, and they should also have a say in how the community is run.
It’s important for any resident-driven independent living community always to put their residents first so that everyone feels included and valued within their new home environment.
A Resident-Driven Independent Living Community Is Inclusive And Welcomes All Residents
A resident-driven community welcomes all residents, regardless of their ability level. It embraces diversity in gender, race, religion, age, and sexual orientation. It accepts and celebrates these differences as a source of strength for its community.
In addition to being welcoming and inclusive, a resident-driven independent living community should be able to adapt over time to meet the changing needs of its population.
Conclusion
Before making any decisions about living in an independent living community, always take the time to talk with other residents. They are some of the best sources of information because they know what it’s like to live there and can give you valuable perspectives on what life is like at that location.