Pieces of the Program

RECREATION

• An on-site athletic work-out facility is available to all residents

• Staff develop individualized exercise plans with each resident

• Individual trainers and coaches are available for additional fees

• Residents will have access to a nearby off-site, supervised swimming pool on a weekly basis

SOCIAL OPPORTUNITIES

• Staff assist residents in developing a list of contact information on friends and acquaintances to have available for gatherings or social occasions

• Residents are encouraged and helped to make weekly social plans

• Monthly large trips to nearby cultural and recreational venues (St. Louis Zoo, Cardinals baseball game, Six Flags, etc.) are offered

• Weekly planned on-site activities are organized by staff

• All activities are designed to expand horizons, challenge skills, and increase resident confidence in the community

• Staff monitor and advise residents to make healthy, wise, and appropriate social decisions

• Annual trip (optional) to Disney World, etc.

EMPLOYMENT/VOLUNTEER

• Staff identify and partner with local companies and organizations to provide appropriate paid employment or volunteer opportunities for residents

• Every effort is made to match residents with an employer or volunteer organization based individual needs, skills, interests, and abilities

• Staff provide on-site job coaching to residents on a semi-weekly basis to build confidence and achieve job success and satisfaction

• Staff work with employers to be understanding, accommodating, and appropriately demanding of residents

HEALTH

• Staff assist residents in scheduling and attending annual physical and dental exams and communicating with medical professionals.

• Staff will offer support to residents with ordering medications.

• Nearby emergency medical services are available to residents

• Staff will make counseling and other community supports accessible to residents

• All costs associated with medical, psychological, and therapeutic needs are the sole responsibility of the resident's family or guardian.

• St. Louis LIFE is not licensed and cannot provide medical or skilled nursing care, nor is it responsible for medical care decisions.

• Due to recent federal legislation, St. Louis LIFE cannot share medical-related information about residents with any person or institution without written permission from the resident's legal guardian(s).

• Residents must be capable of managing all aspects of medical needs, including the administration of medications.

MEALS

• Daily breakfast and dinner meals are provided to all residents in the dining room.

• Residents are on their own for lunch. All residents will have access to the kitchen for lunch meal preparation

• Residents are offered advice on and encouraged to make healthy food choices

• Transportation is provided to a grocery store weekly and assistance with meal planning and shopping is available

• Staff assist residents in learning how to cook and prepare a daily lunch meal using a nutritionally-based menu system

• Staff will accommodate special dietary needs to the best of their ability.

LIFE SKILLS ASSISTANCE

• Staff meet with clients weekly to help them organize and manage their finances, schedules, mail, and transportation

• Staff help residents develop a system to identify and track weekly needs related to hygiene and household products

• Staff facilitate a process for residents to work together to create household rules

• Daily household chores are broken down into steps and a mutually agreed upon schedule is created with staff assistance

• Laundry is checked weekly and help offered as needed

• Staff supervise and assist residents in completing a thorough house cleaning weekly

• Hygiene needs are reviewed weekly

• Residents are educated how to use the local public transportation system

Regular continuing education classes are offered on topics and issues determined by residents

LIBRARY/COMPUTER LAB

• A small library of books, magazines, newspapers, DVDs is available on-site to residents using a check-out system

• The local public library branch is within walking distance of campus

• Regular reading and writing time will be included in residents' schedules.

• A computer lab with internet access is available on-site

• Staff will assist residents in establishing an email account to communicate with friends and family

• Internet access will be appropriately monitored by staff

• Regular classes are offered on computer-related skills, software, Internet browsing, etc.

• Additional computer training will be made available to residents for additional fees.

SPIRITUAL

• Residents are provided with information about local resources that relate to their spiritual life and assisted with contacting such if so desired

• Transportation to local congregations and synagogues is provided

• Residents are offered opportunities to participate in a faith-based activity on a regular basis

OTHER SUPPORTS

• Residents are required to have their own cell phones for safety, transportation, and communication needs

• Residents are encouraged to schedule at least weekly phone calls with their families

• Staff are available on-site 24/7 in case of emergency

• Each apartment is equipped with an emergency button that notifies staff instantly