Independent living programs

Helping patients achieve independent living status or "maximum independence" is the goal of occupational therapy. Until recently, however, "independence" achieved during treatment programs was frequently lost outside of the health care institution because of restrictive or even hostile environments to which patients moved. Now as a result of cooperative advocacy, disabled persons and professionals, aided by useful legisltation, have developed and implemented new models of services to promote independent living. Central to independent living programs is a philosophy of consumer participation, self-determination and having control over one's life by those who are served. This paper presents a brief history of the independent living movement. It then defines and discusses three models commonly seen and gives examples of the servicess they provide. It concludes with a consideration of the factors that influence the success of the transition of persons moving from medical to independent living settings.