A weekday in one of our homes
No two houses run the same, but this is a fair picture of a weekday in a shared home.
The morning shift starts before residents are up. Workers help whoever needs it with showering and dressing, and breakfast happens at each person's pace. One housemate might head off to work or a day program while another has a slow start.
During the day there's usually a mix of jobs around the house, shopping and appointments. Lots of people go out with a worker for community access, which is funded separately from SIL. Residents who are home help with meals and chores as much as they want to.
Dinner is often cooked together, which is good practice for anyone working on cooking skills. Evenings are quiet: TV, phone calls to family, medication, bed. Then the overnight worker takes over.
Sleepover or active overnight?
A sleepover worker sleeps at the house and gets up if someone needs them. An active overnight worker stays awake all night. Which one a home has depends on the residents' needs, such as seizures, falls risk or regular repositioning, and it has to be funded in each person's plan. Each listing on this page shows which arrangement that home uses.
When your needs change
Health changes. A hospital stay, a new diagnosis or simply getting older can mean more support is needed. When that happens we tell you and your support coordinator straight away, record what we're seeing, and help gather the evidence for a plan reassessment. In the meantime we adjust the roster where we can.
Townsville heat, the wet season and cyclones
North Queensland weather is part of the job. In summer, workers keep an eye on fluids, air-conditioning and outings in the hottest part of the day. Every home has an emergency and disaster plan, as the NDIS Practice Standards require, covering what happens if a cyclone warning is issued, power goes out or roads flood. Residents and families can ask us for a copy at any time.
Other supports you can add
Some residents also use our life skills support to build independence, or daily tasks in shared living support. If you live in your own home rather than one of ours, we also offer personal care and household support across Townsville.
