Life Sharing: Family-Centered Residential Alternative
Life Sharing: Family-Centered Residential Alternative https://lifesteps.net/wp-content/uploads/Lifesharing-CMYK-1024x683.jpg 1024 683 Lifesteps https://lifesteps.net/wp-content/uploads/Lifesharing-CMYK-1024x683.jpgLife Sharing is a family-centered residential alternative that enables adults with
disabilities to live “everyday lives” in personal homes. Individuals may live with their biological families or other families living in their community. Attentive and compassionate family members provide 24/7 support for personal care; meal planning and preparation; medications and doctor appointments; and transportation to work, church, and family gatherings. Family-centered care may include other social
occasions like enjoying lunch at a restaurant or going to see a movie.
One or two individuals with disabilities can live in a Lifesteps Life Sharing home. Scenarios range from continuing to live with family members (parents, siblings, or other family members), to living with young families with kids and pets, to empty nesters who wish to open their hearts and homes to adults with disabilities. Matches are based on the individual’s goals, needs, and preferences, and both parties (individual and Life Sharing provider) must agree to the arrangement. Regardless of the scenario, the individual’s biological relationships remain intact, as strong, lasting connections are emphasized.
Life Sharing providers (host families) are compensated for their care and service, and the homes are regularly monitored, with Lifesteps staff and the individual’s Support Coordinator checking in to ensure needs and expectations are fulfilled.
In addition to the Life Sharing option, Lifesteps operates over 50 Residential Community Homes for adults with disabilities across Western Pennsylvania. Lifesteps Residential Community Homes generally accommodate 2-3 individuals, supported by dedicated and highly skilled staff who provide 24/7 care. Similar to Life Sharing, the goal of Residential Community Living is to provide an integrated community setting for people with disabilities to achieve their best “everyday life.”
Who Can Participate in Life Sharing?
- Adults 18 and older, who are diagnosed with an Intellectual and Developmental Disability (IDD) and/or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) with a Consolidated Medicaid Waiver.
- Life Sharing Providers (host families) can be biological or unrelated family members, or other individuals/families. Host families are compensated for providing attentive and compassionate care to adults with disabilities.
Similar to Lifesteps Residential Community Homes, Life
Sharing opportunities are designed to be a long-term, supportive living arrangement that blends companionship with structured support.
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