Independent Living Skills Checklist
Score each skill 1–4 with your family member, occupational therapist, or service coordinator. 1 = not there yet · 4 = fully independent.
Taking medications on time
A supportive roommate is a natural daily reminder — not staff, just someone who lives there.
Recognizing an emergency and calling 911
Harder to practice alone. A roommate can run drills and be there when it counts.
Cooking 3 safe, simple meals
You cook together. The skill builds in-home, not in a classroom.
Doing laundry start to finish
An easy shared routine — builds fast when someone's already doing it next to you.
Managing a debit card and a monthly budget
SLS can fund financial coaching alongside life-sharing.
Using public transit or rideshare regularly
Regional Center ILS funds travel training on real routes.
Communicating needs clearly
Daily practice with a roommate — the lowest-stakes way to build this.
Personal hygiene without prompts
Natural accountability from someone who genuinely cares.
Knowing personal info: address, phone, emergency contacts
Can live on a card in their wallet; roommate knows it too.
Saying "I need help" when something is wrong
Much easier when someone you trust lives down the hall.
What your scores mean
Mostly 3s and 4s — Ready for supported independent living with light help. A supportive roommate plus occasional SLS check-ins is often the right fit.
Mix of 2s and 3s — Life-sharing could be the right bridge. Gaps get filled in-home, every day, with a compatible roommate — without waiting for perfection.
Several 1s and 2s — Start with ILS skill-building through your Regional Center, then revisit in 6–12 months. The skills come — the timeline just varies.
Most parents score a mix. That's completely normal — and it's not a reason to wait. The gaps on this list are exactly what a supportive roommate helps fill.
Exploring life-sharing in California?
Homies matches adults with IDD to compatible supportive roommates — funded through Regional Center SLS. Most families pay nothing out of pocket.
See how life-sharing works →