Independence, depending on the individual, may not mean doing everything on their own. Some individuals with disabilities may need assistance with their daily, living activities.

A wide variety of consumer options are available providing in-home care by Personal Assistants (PAs). These options may work part- or full-time in the home or live-in care.

ILCKC develops consumer and care-provider roles and responsibilities, mediation, advocacy, and management of a care provider. A consumers may need to develop skills and knowledge on selecting, interviewing, hiring, managing, or termination of their personal assistant.

ILCKC maintains a registry of PAs who specializes in working with people with disabilities.

The personal assistant is under direction of the person with the disability. He/she does the tasks that the employer (person with the disability) cannot do for him/herself. Some duties PAs may fulfill include bathing, dressing, bowel and bladder care, feeding, grooming, range of motion assistance, light housekeeping, errands and driving the consumer to appointments, etc. They may also provide reminders/cuing about medication, safety and other responsibilities.

In contrast to some of the for-profit services providing in-home care, the Independent Living philosophy emphasizes consumer control and direction of the services received. The personal assistant is under the direction of the person with the disability. PAs do the tasks that the consumer cannot do for him/herself.

For additional information regarding consumer options available to provide in-home care by a Personal Assistant, please call 661.325.1063 and ask to speak with an Independent Living Specialist.