Over 50,000 people in Minnesota have Epilepsy. 10,000 of them continue
to have seizures despite enduring daily medication, brain surgery and other
invasive treatments. This group has a disorder known as intractable epilepsy.
People Incorporated’s Epilepsy Services is a
community living support program designed to help adults with intractable
epilepsy live successfully in the community. On a 24 hour per day, 7 day
a week basis, staff provide independent living skills training and support
to 16 – 20 individuals living in a clustered apartment site in Minneapolis
Public Housing or out in the community. Participants learn to manage their
medication and finances, improve their communication, employment and problem
solving skills and increase their basic apartment living skills.
At admission participants are dependent on family, are homeless or are facing
homelessness, or come from nursing homes or other residential facilities.
Over 90% are chronically unemployed and are dependent on others for medication
monitoring and other daily living tasks. At graduation participants are
successfully living in their own apartments with medical and financial stability,
a solid support system and improved independent living skills. This program
successfully diverts individuals from costly institutional care and helps
them emancipate from the welfare system. It is the only resource of its
kind in Minnesota. |
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