Her daughter, Abby, 33, has lived with disabilities her entire life, and Jody had always been her primary caregiver. But in , when the Clements enrolled in LifeQuest of Mitchell's Shared Living program, Jody was able to leave her job and stay home full-time with Abby β a decision that brought peace of mind to a family who had always prioritized Abby's care.
This simple shift β Jody's ability to stay home with her daughter β has not only transformed their lives, but it also serves as an example of how LifeQuest's Shared Living program is changing lives for families across South Dakota. What began in as a modest initiative serving 12 participants has since grown to serve 32 individuals with disabilities across the state.
LifeQuest's approach allows individuals to live in the comfort of their own homes while receiving the support they need, all while maintaining their independence. A cornerstone of the Shared Living program is its comprehensive training for caregivers, which goes beyond basic skills like CPR and first aid.
This training includes medication management, disability awareness, abuse prevention, and weather safety β skills essential for creating a safe and supportive environment for individuals with disabilities.
In addition to this training, caregivers are also reimbursed for their time and services. Providers can be family members, friends or other individuals over the age of 18, and the reimbursement enables them to dedicate time to caregiving without the financial strain that might otherwise make it difficult to provide full-time care.
