The Life Skills Program is the newest program at Friends for Life. Trainers work with adults with Intellectual Disabilities living in nursing facilities to encourage and develop more independence in daily life. The ultimate goal is to transition into community living with any necessary supports. For those clients with more severe disabilities who may live in the nursing facility for life, our trainers encourage as much independence and engagement in daily life at the facility as possible or that individual.
The actual training activities are designed especially for each individual depending on abilities and goals for that person. It might involve activities to help improve small motor skills, communication skills, and cognitive skills. Whatever goals that individual may have, the trainer always strives to make the activities fun and challenging to encourage constant improvement, even if in baby steps. While the training activities are important, the daily visit from someone who genuinely cares and wants to spend time with you means everything to the clients in the Life Skills program.