Independence support services are built around one simple idea: people with developmental disabilities deserve to live the way they want to, in the places they choose, with support that fits their real life instead of forcing them into institutions.
If you’re a family member or guardian looking for ways to help your loved one stay safe, confident, and included in their community while living at home, this guide walks you through what independence support services look like and how they work in practice.
Related: Home and Community-Based Services Waiver: What You Need to Know
What Are Independence Support Services?
Independence support services are personalized in-home assistance designed to help individuals with intellectual disabilities maintain their independence and stay connected to their communities. Think of it as a safety net that lets your loved one live the life they want without having to move into a group home or nursing facility.
These services focus on helping people:
- Stay healthy and safe at home
- Learn new skills and keep using the ones they have
- Get out into the community and do activities that matter to them
- Make their own choices and build confidence
- Get the personal care and daily support they actually need
The key difference is that independence support services come to your loved one’s home. The support is built around their schedule, their preferences, and their goals—not a facility’s routine.
Who Needs Independence Support Services?
Independence support services work best for adults and adolescents with intellectual or developmental disabilities who want to keep living at home but need consistent help with daily tasks, health care, or getting out into the community.
Your loved one might benefit from independence support services if they:
- Have trouble managing hygiene, meals, or household tasks on their own
- Need supervision or hands-on help with self-care
- Want to work or volunteer but need coaching and transportation support
- Struggle with managing their health or remembering medications
- Feel isolated and need help connecting to community activities
- Are aging out of school and need structured daytime support
If any of this sounds familiar, independence support services can make a real difference in your loved one’s quality of life and your own peace of mind as a caregiver.
What Services Are Typically Included?
Independence support services are flexible and personalized, but they usually include a combination of these core areas:
Daily Living Support: Help with personal hygiene, dressing, meal prep, laundry, and keeping the home clean and organized. A support worker might help your loved one get ready in the morning or make sure the house stays safe and livable.
Related: Autism Support: What Families Need to Know in 2026
Health and Wellness: Regular check-ins to monitor health, help manage medications, attend doctor appointments, and spot problems early. Some providers also coordinate therapy sessions or other specialized care.
Community Integration: Transportation and support to get out into the community. This might mean going to work, volunteering, attending a class, visiting a friend, or just enjoying recreational activities they care about.
Skill Building: Teaching new abilities and helping your loved one keep the skills they already have. This could be job training, budgeting, cooking, or learning to use public transportation.
Respite Care: Short-term support that gives primary caregivers a break while someone trustworthy stays with your loved one. Respite care is crucial for preventing caregiver burnout and keeping families strong.
Providers like Anointed Homes LLC specialize in tailoring these services so they match your loved one’s unique strengths, challenges, and dreams.
How Independence Support Services Differ From Institutional Care
Nursing homes, group homes, and other congregate settings follow the same schedule and rules for everyone. Independence support services work the opposite way: they flex around your loved one’s life.
In a group home, your loved one eats when the home’s kitchen serves meals. With independence support, meals happen on their schedule, with their favorite foods, at their own table.
In an institution, activities are planned for the group. With in-home independence support, your loved one gets to choose what they do and when—and support workers help them make it happen.
The emotional difference is huge. Your loved one stays in a familiar, comfortable home surrounded by their own belongings and memories. They keep their relationships with family and friends because they’re living in the community, not separated from it. And they have genuine control over their own life, which builds dignity and confidence in ways that institutional care just can’t match.
Understanding Funding and Access
Independence support services are typically funded through Medicaid waiver programs, which are state programs designed to help people with disabilities stay in their homes and communities instead of relying on institutional care. Eligibility and what’s covered varies depending on where you live and which waiver program applies to your loved one.
In Indiana, there are several waiver options available. Your best first step is to talk with your loved one’s case manager or contact your local Indiana Family and Social Services Administration office to understand which programs your family might qualify for.
Costs vary widely depending on your loved one’s needs, the amount of support required, and your local provider rates. Don’t guess—ask for a personalized quote that breaks down what services would cost based on your loved one’s specific situation.
If your family is exploring independence support services right now, Anointed Homes LLC can walk you through the intake process and help you understand what options fit your situation.
Finding a Provider You Can Trust
The right independence support provider becomes part of your family’s life, so trust matters more than almost anything else.
When you’re evaluating providers, look for people who:
- Listen carefully to what your loved one wants and needs, not just what their diagnosis says they need
- Show genuine warmth and respect for your loved one as a person
- Have real experience supporting people with your loved one’s specific disabilities
- Are transparent about qualifications, background checks, and how they handle emergencies
- Give you access and communication so you can stay in the loop
- Treat your loved one’s home as their home, not a job site
Ask prospective providers to explain their approach to independence, community inclusion, and respite care. Ask for references from families they’ve worked with. And trust your gut about whether this provider feels like the right fit for your family.
Taking the First Steps
If you think independence support services might help your loved one, start by documenting their current support needs and goals. What does a typical day look like for them now? What parts of daily life are hardest? What do they want to do or achieve?
Then reach out to your case manager or local disability services office to learn which waiver programs you might qualify for and which providers can serve your area.
When you’re ready to explore services in the Indianapolis area, Anointed Homes LLC specializes in exactly this kind of personalized, community-focused support. You can contact them to discuss your loved one’s situation and see how they might be able to help.
People Also Ask
What’s the difference between independence support services and personal care attendants?
Personal care attendants typically help with physical tasks like bathing and dressing. Independence support services are broader and include help with daily living, community participation, skill building, and health management. A personal care attendant might be part of your independence support plan, but independence services usually include more coaching, community access, and overall life support.
Can my loved one still live with family if they get independence support services?
Absolutely. Independence support services are designed specifically to help people stay in their own homes—whether that’s with family or in their own place. In fact, many families use these services to stay together while making sure everyone’s needs are met.
How do I know if my loved one is ready for independence support services?
If your loved one is struggling with daily tasks but wants to stay at home, if you’re burned out from being the only caregiver, or if you’re worried about what will happen when you’re no longer able to help, independence support services are worth exploring. There’s no magic age or disability level—it’s about whether the support matches your loved one’s actual needs and goals.
What happens if my loved one’s needs change over time?
Good independence support providers adjust as your loved one’s situation changes. Health issues, new goals, aging, and life transitions all get planned for. Your support plan should be reviewed regularly and updated to keep pace with real life, not locked in place forever.