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About Lifetime Living, Inc.
Lifetime Living was set up as a corporation in December of
2007. The officers of Lifetime Living, Inc. consist of individuals who have
experience and extensive knowledge in working with people with developmental
disabilities. The main driving force for starting Lifetime Living, Inc. was to
provide the BEST quality of services and "raise the bar" in our industry.
How to get started?
Call us at (210) 651-0279 so we an set up
an appointment at your convenience and at a location of your choice. We
encourage you to speak with at least one other provider. We promote choice and
you should feel comfortable with Your Choice!
Helpful Tips in Making a Good Match With
Your Home and Community-Based Services Program (HCS)
Educate yourself about the services and
supports available through HCS.
- Every provider is required to offer all HCS services.
- How they provide the service may differ.
- Ask about staff selection process.
- Ask about staff training.
- Ask about how they screen staff.
- Ask about how you will be involved in staff selection.
- Ask how they differ from other providers � what do they
see as their strengths?
- Ask has your organization ever been place on vendor hold
by the state?
* Contact DADS Waiver Survey & Certification Office at (512) 438-3491 to
verify status.
Determine what is most important to you.
- What are your personal goals and how will the provider
help you achieve them?
- Is the provider willing to develop individualized and
creative methods to meet your needs?
- Don�t just look at the service definitions; ask the
provider how the HCS services can help you meet your goals.
- What process does the provider use to find out what is
important to you?
- State your preferences (i.e. supported employment,
residential, nursing, etc.)
Your relationship with your provider will
be important when receiving services.
- How receptive do you think the provider will be if there
are problems or concerns?
- Was the provider respectful to you during the interview �
did the provider use terms that you did not understand, did the provider
maintain eye contact and listen to you or did they do all the talking?
- Ask about the complaint process.
- Ask how they work to improve services.
- What overall feeling did you have during the interview �
did you feel comfortable?
How much control will you have over your
services and supports?
- How and in what areas does the provider allow for choice?
- Will you have choice of your staff?
- Will you be able to easily change staff if you wish?
- What knowledge does the provider have about
self-determination or person directed services?
- In residential situations can you choose your roommates
or participate in activities of your choice? How do they allow for that
choice?
- How will the provider support you with maintaining
personal relationships?
Look to other people who have gone through
the selection process or to people who can support you in the process.
- Ask the provider for names of people who receive their
services who you may contact.
- Get help from support groups who may know of others who
have gone through the process.
- Contact advocacy organizations such as the Arc for
support.
Take and keep notes about the information
you receive or ask someone to help you take notes.
- You might be talking with several different providers and
it will help to get organized.
- You might want to talk to several staff from one provider
and compare responses.
- Go over your notes and compare to the list of things that
are most important to you.
- From your Local Authority additional tools
may be available to assist you in this process.
Be persistent and ask questions that are
important to you � no question is unimportant.
- Call back if you need clarification or if you forget to
ask something.
- Ask the provider to explain if you don�t understand.
- Learn the language so you can ask the right questions.
- Most importantly, remember�
- YOU are the employer and the providers are there to serve
YOU
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