Community Supports
Community supports are resources that promote independence and safe living in home and community. We describe areas of support that relate to case management, activities of daily living, and self-help and education. After reading about an area, we encourage you to use our links to National Resources or Kansas Resources to learn more (see right side boxes).
- Case management is provided by professionals, such as social workers, who coordinate the delivery of home and community supports. Case managers help access services from different organizations or access multiple services that may be provided by their agency. For example, a case manager may assist in locating durable medical equipment, assistive technology, therapy services, or in-home programs, such as Companion Care. You may be able to locate case management services in state-wide listings for Independent Living Centers or through your Aging and Disability Resource Center.
- Activities of Daily Living include resources for self-care, such as dressing, housework, preparing meals, and shopping for everyday needs to help you continue to be or become more independent at home or in your community. For example:
- In-home services may consist of therapists who come into the home to provide services, or personal attendants, who come into the home to assist with shopping or daily activities such as bathing.
- Community transportation includes resources to help make transportation easier or more affordable. Some communities have special transportation services for people with disabilities or programs through a taxi service. For example, you may be able to purchase coupons at a reduced cost with a documented disability.
- Vocational supports can include job training or job coaching. Many individuals return to work after a brain injury, but others need help locating or training for success in the workplace.
- Nutrition supports provide or prepare daily meals for you. Meals on Wheels is a specific support to the local community and provides home-delivered meals to people in need.
- Self-help and education includes resources to help with your ongoing recovery from a traumatic brain injury. Support groups provide personal support and educational information to you and your family and can be accessed through the brain injury association for each state. The County Extension Office provides useful, practical, and research-based information to consumers and others in rural areas and communities.
