Adult Independent Living Services
Adulthood brings new opportunities for growth, independence, and meaningful community involvement. Canaan Cares provides comprehensive, person-centered support for adults with developmental disabilities, helping each individual build the skills, confidence, and stability needed to live a fulfilling life.
Our adult services follow the Individual Program Plan (IPP) and are fully tailored to the individual’s abilities, preferences, and long-term goals. Whether an adult is preparing to live independently, exploring employment, or seeking community engagement, we offer structured support delivered with respect, dignity, and real empowerment.
Assistance commonly provided through an ILS program
- Personal care and hygiene
- Bathing and showering routines
- Grooming
- Dressing
- Toileting routines
- Personal hygiene
- Developing independent self-care routines
- Meal planning and food preparation
- Planning meals
- Grocery shopping
- Learning to cook
- Safe food handling
- Kitchen safety
- Nutrition and healthy food choices
- Household management
- Cleaning and maintaining the home
- Laundry
- Organizing the home
- Making the bed and changing linens
- Household safety
- Learning how to manage household responsibilities
- Money management
- Creating a budget
- Managing SSI/other income
- Paying bills
- Understanding expenses
- Shopping within a budget
- Learning financial decision-making
- Medication and health-management skills
- Learning to follow medication schedules
- Organizing health-related routines
- Scheduling medical appointments
- Learning how to communicate health needs
- Understanding when to seek assistance
- ILS is primarily skill-building; it does not automatically mean that an ILS provider can perform licensed medical tasks.
- Community integration
- Learning to use public transportation
- Navigating the community safely
- Grocery shopping and running errands
- Participating in recreational activities
- Accessing community resources
- Developing social and communication skills
- Self-advocacy
- Expressing personal needs and preferences
- Making personal choices
- Communicating with service providers
- Understanding individual rights
- Participating in Individual Program Plan (IPP) meetings
- Advocating for appropriate services
- Safety and emergency preparedness
- Fire and emergency safety
- Emergency contacts
- What to do during a medical or household emergency
- Recognizing unsafe situations
- Developing safety routines
- Organization and daily routines
- Creating schedules
- Time management
- Keeping appointments
- Following daily routines
- Developing reminders and organizational systems
- Developing and maintaining independence
- Practicing skills needed to live alone or with roommates
- Maintaining skills that have already been learned
- Increasing independence in the home and community
- Transitioning toward a more self-sustaining living arrangement
Transportation (If Included in the IPP)
Transportation Based on Identified Need
Transportation is only available when the Regional Center includes it in the IPP as a documented need.
Examples of when transportation may be approved:
- An adult wants to work at a grocery store but cannot navigate public transit safely
- A person attends a day program not accessible by bus
- An individual requires support accessing medical or community appointments
Canaan Cares provides transportation supports only as defined and approved in the IPP.
Community Activities & Social Participation
Building Connections and Real-World Skills
Community involvement is essential for emotional well-being, confidence, and social development. Canaan Cares encourages adults to participate in real-world experiences that promote personal growth.
Activities may include:
- Social events and recreation
- Fitness or wellness programs
- Library activities, art classes, or local workshops
- Group outings and meet-ups
- Volunteer opportunities
- Community events and festivals
- Shopping and errands
- Learning how to interact successfully with others
Through these experiences, adults build communication skills, social awareness, independence, and confidence in navigating their communities.
Services provided through Supported Living Services
- Assistance choosing a home
- Identifying appropriate housing
- Evaluating potential homes or apartments
- Supporting the individual in choosing where they want to live
- Helping determine appropriate accessibility and safety needs
- Moving into the home
- Assistance with the transition into a new residence
- Establishing household routines
- Helping arrange the home according to the individual’s preferences
- Choosing housemates
- Identifying potential roommates
- Supporting the individual in making decisions about who they live with
- Developing compatible living arrangements
- Choosing and managing personal attendants
- Helping the individual identify appropriate caregivers/attendants
- Supporting the individual’s choice and control over their support staff
- Assistance with scheduling and coordinating support
- Daily living activities
- Personal care and self-care routines
- Dressing and grooming
- Meal planning and preparation
- Grocery shopping
- Cleaning and housekeeping
- Laundry
- Organizing the household
- Other routine activities necessary to maintain the home
- Health and safety support
- Maintaining a safe living environment
- Recognizing and responding to safety concerns
- Preparing for emergencies
- Developing emergency plans
- Assistance with health-related routines within the provider’s authorized scope
- Behavioral and safety support
- Assistance with challenging or unsafe behaviors
- Redirection and behavioral support
- Maintaining safety in the home and community
- Support for individuals who may require supervision to prevent injury or other dangerous situations
- The State Council on Developmental Disabilities gives examples including support with safety, behavioral redirection, shopping, cooking, cleaning, budgeting, and community participation.
- Community integration
- Getting out into the community
- Shopping and errands
- Recreation
- Social activities
- Building relationships
- Participating in community activities
- Developing greater independence outside the home
- Money and financial management
- Budgeting
- Managing personal finances
- Paying bills
- Making purchasing decisions
- Learning to manage household expenses
- Household furnishings
- Identifying needed furniture and household items
- Assistance acquiring appropriate furnishings
- Setting up the home according to the individual’s preferences
- Decision-making and self-determination
- Making choices about where and with whom to live
- Making decisions about daily activities
- Understanding the consequences of decisions
- Supporting personal goals and preferences
- Increasing control over one’s living environment
- Relationship development
- Building and maintaining relationships
- Developing social connections
- Supporting meaningful relationships with family, friends, housemates, and community members
- Ongoing individualized support
- Adjusting the amount and type of support as needs change
- Providing support for as many hours as necessary
- Helping the individual maintain independence over the long term
A Customized Approach for Every Adult
No two adults are alike. We take time to understand:
- Daily routines
- Strengths and interests
- Support needs
- Communication preferences
- Cultural or family considerations
- Long-term goals
- Barriers to independence
This allows us to design supports that promote growth, stability, and self-direction.
Canaan Cares proudly serves all 21 California Regional Centers.
Personal Goal Planning
Person-Centered, Strength-Based Planning
Every adult’s IPP begins with personal goals. These goals reflect what the individual wants for their life—not what others want for them.
Examples of Adult Goals:
- Live independently for the first time
- Improve cooking skills
- Learn money management
- Establish a consistent hygiene routine
- Get a job or start volunteering
- Join community groups or classes
- Build friendships and social connections
- Improve safety awareness
- Gain confidence navigating public transportation
Canaan Cares helps adults identify meaningful goals and take measurable steps toward achieving them.
Daily Living Supports
Hands-On Help for Everyday Routines
Some adults require daily support to complete essential routines safely and consistently.
Daily Living Supports may include:
- Assistance with bathing, grooming, or hygiene routines
- Dressing for work or community activities
- Structuring morning or evening routines
- Meal prep and healthy eating habits
- Household organization and cleaning
- Medication reminders
- Practicing communication or coping skills
- Developing healthy lifestyle habits
Daily supports help adults maintain stability, safety, and well-being.
There are many specialty services offered by Canaan Cares. Click here to see all of them.
Contact Us!
When you fill out this form, you can expect to receive a call and email from our professional staff. We will reach out to you and answer your questions.
FAQ: Adult Services
Are adult services customized?
Can adults live independently with support?
Absolutely. Independent Living Skills (ILS) programs help adults build the skills needed for safe, confident independence.