Meet Laura and Vicki: Two best friends searching for independence

In 2014, the Charles Lea Center in Spartanburg, S.C., began a transition program to help individuals with disabilities make the move into their own homes. Both Laura and Vicki had expressed interest in having their own apartment and performing their own daily living skills. To get ready for this new level of independence, the two women moved into one of Charlea Lea’s transition homes.

What is a Transition Home?

A transition home is a residence integrating technology and support services to people with disabilities to practice daily living skills necessary to live successfully in the community.

With the help of SimplyHome technology, Laura and Vicki were able to move from the transition home to their permanent residence within months, as opposed to possibly years without assistive care technology.

The technology alleviates concerns around residential safety and medication compliance, helping the staff make sure they are doing well in the new setting. “They’re getting their independence they want, but I’m also knowing on my end that they’re safe,” said Shanena Robinson, the Charles Lea Center Area Leader.

Here is some of the SimplyHome technology Laura and Vicki are utilizing in their home to help them live self-sufficiently:

• A front door sensor allows Charles Lea staff to know if someone is at the door.

• A medication dispenser alarms up to four times a day to remind both women of when to take their medicine.

• The panic pendant enables Laura and Vicki to reach staff in the case of an emergency.

Besides learning new skills together, living on their own with SimplyHome customized systems has allowed Laura and Vicki to build a bond with one another as a form of support. The two women have moved beyond basic independent living skills and are thriving: “We focused on the training that they needed to live more independently and then we kept going,” says Shanena.

With SimplyHome technology in place, staff were able to foster more free time for these best friends to not only decorate together and eat meals together, but for them to make friends in their community through their neighborhood.  Rather than just being independent alongside each other, Laura and Vicki have built a community of friends.

As Toronda Young, Charles Lea Residential Coordinator, puts it: “With Ms. Vicki and Laura, what I love about them is they love their home. And it is a home! They love decorating their home, they’ve very good with housekeeping, and they’re excited about when you come in their home. We’re not there — they eat together, they share stuff together, if they need anything, they’re their own community. They’ve made friends in the community. They have neighbors that look out for them or they even go to church with them or different things like that. So the skills they actually use when we’re not around.”

Watch the video to see just how much Laura and Vicki have adapted and grown in their new home.