Debbie has been self-directing her supports and services through Lakeland Care, Inc. (LCI) since 2018. She continues to live in her own home and has hired a team of caregivers to assist her with her daily routines. Through self-direction, Debbie remains independent, and empowered, and maintains strong community connections. Her caregiver, Brooke, shared how Debbie manages her day, including cooking recipes, planting a garden, visiting friends, and going to the Farmers Market. Last year, Debbie even hosted Christmas at her home.
To build her wonderful team of caregivers, Debbie utilized Support Broker services. The Support Broker helped her find caregivers to interview and assist with scheduling. Now that Debbie has a consistent and reliable team, she no longer requires Support Broker services. Some of her caregivers have been with her for 15 years. They work together to ensure that someone is always with Debbie as needed. Brooke said, “Debbie is like family, not a job.” Debbie expressed that she knows her caregivers care for her, understand her, and are invested in her well-being, allowing her to remain in her home and live life to the fullest.
When asked what self-directing her services means to her, Debbie said, “The significance of SDS in my life is multifaceted. I am able to reside in my own home, make my own decisions, and hire caregivers who align with my preferences. However, I do not feel isolated in this endeavor, as I have a staff case worker (Care Manager) and nurse who provide continuous support and ensure that my goals and needs are met.” Debbie reports that her LCI Care Team continues to play a key role in her success, particularly her RN Care Manager, who assisted with getting Debbie a manual wheelchair to make it easier for her to get in and out of vehicles and access the community.
Lakeland Care has been honored to support Debbie in meeting her goals over the past 10 years. She inspires us with her independence, advocacy, and self-determination. Debbie is a true example of the empowerment self-directing one’s care can provide. At Lakeland Care, our mission is to empower individuals to strengthen and build inclusive communities.