The SLS waiver offers valuable services for individuals with disabilities and enables them to live independently in their own homes and communities. These services assist with daily tasks and help people engage in social and community life.
What Is the SLS Waiver?
The Supported Living Services (SLS) waiver is part of Colorado’s Medicaid program. It brings the necessary support for adults with disabilities who would otherwise require care in an institutional setting.
The aim of the SLS waiver is to help individuals live independently while staying connected to their communities. Services under this waiver focus on increasing personal independence and reducing reliance on institutional care.
Personal Care Assistance
One of the primary types of support provided by the SLS waiver is personal care assistance. This includes help with daily living activities such as:
- Bathing and grooming: Assisting with personal hygiene tasks.
- Dressing: Support for dressing and undressing.
- Feeding: Help with eating for individuals who are unable to feed themselves.
Household Support
Household tasks are often difficult for individuals with disabilities, but the SLS waiver offers services to assist with these activities. These services include:
- Cleaning: Assistance with maintaining a clean home, including dusting, sweeping, and mopping.
- Meal preparation: Support in cooking nutritious meals.
- Laundry: Washing and folding clothes and linens.
Employment and Community Integration
Employment support is a vital service for individuals who wish to work and become active members of their community. The SLS waiver delivers:
- Job training: Assistance in learning new skills for employment.
- Job coaching: On-the-job support to help individuals succeed.
- Community participation: Services that help individuals attend social events and interact with their peers.
Health and Safety Services
The SLS waiver also includes support for health and safety. This makes sure that individuals remain healthy and safe in their homes. This includes:
- Health maintenance: Assistance with managing health conditions and taking medications.
- Emergency response systems: Providing personal emergency response systems (PERS) for safety in case of an emergency.
- Transportation support: Assistance with transportation to medical appointments, community activities, and other errands.
Respite Care for Caregivers
Respite care is a necessary service for family caregivers who need a break. The SLS waiver delivers respite care services, which bring temporary relief by allowing caregivers time off while still guaranteeing that individuals receive the care they need. This helps prevent caregiver burnout and guarantees long-term care sustainability.
The Role of IHSS and Other Support Services
In addition to the SLS waiver, programs like in-home supportive services (IHSS) in Colorado also offer necessary personal care support. These programs help individuals with disabilities remain at home while receiving assistance with daily tasks.
How Voyager Home Health Care Supports Independent Living
At Voyager Home Health Care, we are committed to promoting independence for individuals with disabilities through personalized care. We assist families in navigating programs like the SLS waiver and deliver additional services such as Colorado Parent CNA and Children’s Home and Community-Based Services (CHCBS).
These programs, along with personal care assistance, household support, and respite care, help individuals live safely in their own homes. We collaborate closely with families to create customized care plans and make sure that those in need receive the support they require to live independently and thrive in their communities.
