Issue link: http://southshoremagazine.uberflip.com/i/1540543
TheSouthShoreMagazine.com 7 Using a groundbreaking technology, some residents will utilize tablets that connect with a virtual support person. This type of technology will give aid when needed, plus help residents with everyday tasks and necessities, such as reminders about medications, healthy meal options or just a friendly chat. With a serious shortage of health and human services professionals, this technology can help to offset the need for assistance from a live-in human assistant. The heart of the home is the community room made up of a large kitchen and common area, providing space for all the residents to come together and do activities or simply hang out. Family members may visit and spend time with residents there. It is hoped that members of the community become involved by hosting classes, organizing game nights and offering ways to engage with the residents. SAIL Home Scituate is nestled within the community. Just 500 yards from the commuter rail station and the North Scituate Village, residents will not be isolated. They will have plenty of opportunities to access the town center and be embedded in the fabric of the community. The amazing families of SAIL Home Scituate's residents have been an integral part of bringing this home to life. Helping a loved one transition to independent living is a big change for the entire family, and these families have been and will continue to be involved with weekly visits and will engage with all the residents. The team will take a couple months to transition the residents into their new living situation. They will be introduced to the spaces, to their new housemates, and will learn how things work. Professionals have been and will continue to work with residents to assess unique needs and abilities, working to improve the skills needed to be as independent as possible. "They are going to feel very proud and confident of themselves," remarks SAIL Home Executive Director Marynell Henry. "SAIL Home is going to help provide that rich support so they can have a home—their own home. They'll be independent but still have a community." SAIL Home is an independent nonprofit. Monetary and in-kind donations from the town and community members is how they have been able to bring this incredible home and opportunity to Scituate. From partnerships with Shepard Construction and Development and Kearney Pierce Architects, to in-kind donations from local professionals like painters, landscapers, electricians, furnishing businesses and so much more, SAIL Home Scituate is truly the result of a community coming together to support their own. Twenty-four months. That's all it took for a team of passionate parents and industry professionals to come together and bring to life an incredible opportunity for individuals who need it most. After extensive training, a year of construction and renovation, and collaboration with families, community members and donors, SAIL Home Scituate will open its doors in October, and the process of integrating residents will begin. Readers of South Shore Magazine may recall the article published last summer about SAIL Home and its mission to address the housing crisis facing individuals with Intellectual Developmental Disabilities (IDD) and/or autism. SAIL (Supported Access to Independent Living) Home is a nonprofit organization formed just two years ago after a group of parents, professionals and community members held in-depth conversations about the urgent need for housing. Knowing that 71% of people with IDD and/or autism live at home with family caregivers, with 24% of those caregivers being over 60 years of age, they decided to think outside of the box for different kinds of housing options. As this group knows so well, not having answers to what will happen to loved ones is a never-ending worry for parents and family members as they age. SAIL Home is taking a proactive approach and is working on ways to create new housing and support options for individuals and families. A goal of SAIL Home is to create housing models which combine staff, support and training so that individuals with IDD and/or autism can live fully immersed in an inclusive community. To do this, the group enrolled in a four-month training program called New Futures Initiative offered through the Center for Independent Futures, which is based in Evanson, Illinois. The training was a road map which helped guide the group as they considered how to develop a housing model to be built on the South Shore. A serendipitous walk past an 8000-square foot building for sale in Scituate resulted in the purchase and renovation of their first project. With tremendous support from the town of Scituate, community members, industry professionals, donors and families, SAIL Home Scituate is set to open in late October. The home features three apartments which will house eight individuals with two caregiver units for "community builders" who will live side by side with the residents to support and assist them. Each apartment has a full kitchen, and each resident has their own bedroom and bathroom. The apartments are outfitted with assistive technology enhancements such as an intercom system, door sensors, Alexa- based assistance and more.