Shared Support South is a leading provider of services to people living with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Shared Support South is licensed by the Department of Human Services and partners with various counties throughout Pennsylvania to deliver high quality, innovative services specifically designed to fit the unique needs of each person we support
What is Lifesharing?
Lifesharing is a residential program, offering a person with a disability the opportunity to live with another person or family, sharing their home and life together. Lifesharing Providers, also known as “roommates”, or “super roommates”, typically grow out of a fondness for the person based on an existing relationship or can be matched based on common interests and level of care needed. This model of natural support encourages true integration into their local community and enhances the person’s life skills. The responsibilities of the Lifesharing Provider is unique to the supported person’s needs, which could range from eating/cooking supports, daily hygiene care, integration into their community, social support, assistance with transportation, participating in health and medical management, administer medications, and more.
Each program is individualized and tailored to meet the needs of each person, but all Lifesharing providers are expected to provide daily support to ensure healthy eating, healthy hygiene, safety at home and the community, and a meaningful life.
Life Sharing Partners are independent contractors, not employees, of Shared Support Inc. This role is flexible and allows for part-time or full-time work elsewhere. It is important to note that evening and weekend jobs may be a conflict for single lifesharers because the individual may have activities or need support outside of typical working hours Monday – Friday. This means some arrangements may not be possible if the Lifesharing Provider needs to work on the weekends or has other regular commitments that take up majority of their time.
A Typical Day for a Lifesharing Provider
The Lifesharing provider should be up before or with the individual in the morning so they can assist with the morning routine. This might include helping the individual determine weather-appropriate clothing for the day, complete hygiene tasks like shower, toileting, or dental. Some individuals are physically independent in these areas, but require verbal prompting, while others may need physical support. The lifesharing provider should be awake and support the individual in having a nutritious breakfast before moving on with their day. The lifesharing provider may need to ensure transportation is arranged for their roommate, either through them directly, or another person or service.
The Lifesharing Provider is there to assist their roommate in creating and following a meaningful day schedule. These schedules may be developed that day, or in advance with help from the individual to ensure preferred activities are on the schedule. Some individuals have staff during the day who take them out in the community, and it is the Lifesharing Providers’ responsibility to ensure they have a nutritious lunch packed and all necessary items they need when in the community, including medications they take during those times, change of clothing, or other.
The lifesharing provider may have a job of their own, so the individual has their own schedule during those times. The lifesharing provider will need to be available in case of emergency or if their roommate needs support that they cannot get from family members or their assigned Program specialist. It’s important to note that when signing up for this role, you are accepting that you may be needed at short notice to assist your roommate at home or the community.
At the end of the day, the Lifesharing provider is home to support their roommate with evening routines like preparing dinner and clean up after. It is preferred that the individual is engaged in the meal prep process as often as possible and having nutritious meals alongside their roommate(s), and not alone all the time. The individual may have dinner preferences and dietary restrictions that the lifesharing provider must follow and integrate into their own meal plans. The lifesharing provider needs to be available in the evening to assist their roommate with daily living tasks like dental hygiene, meal prep, medication administration, or other nighttime routine tasks.
Every Lifesharing arrangement is unique, and every individual has their own unique set of needs and abilities.
