Independent Living Skills Training (ILST) After a Brain Injury

What Is ILST?

ILST is a Medicaid-funded program that helps Coloradans with an acquired or traumatic brain injury develop the skills needed to live independently. It is a benefit of Colorado’s Brain Injury Waiver through the state’s Medicaid Program, Health First Colorado.

ILST helps people with a brain injury:

·         Regain life skills lost due to disability

·         Remain in their homes and communities

·         Get support with personal care and daily tasks.

Who Qualifies for ILST?

Individuals receive ILST through the Brain Injury Waiver. To participate in ILST, individuals must meet certain criteria:

·         Have an acquired or traumatic brain injury

·         Be 16 years or older

·         Want to receive services in their home or community.

Benefits of ILST

The program is tailored to help people with brain injuries stay at home and out of long-term care facilities. Relearning skills lost allows individuals to live independently and improve their life quality.

The benefits of ILST for people with a brain injury are:

Regained Daily Function

A core focus of ILST is teaching skills needed to perform daily life activities. These cut across all life domains, including cooking, cleaning, budgeting, money management, public transportation, and basic household maintenance. Recovering the ability to complete these tasks is critical for people who have experienced an acquired or traumatic brain injury.

Memory Support

Brain injuries can lead to cognitive challenges. Difficulty with memory, attention, and problem-solving can complicate daily life for someone with a brain injury. ILST teaches participants adaptive strategies supporting recovery and improving memory retention.

Community Reintegration

Reintegrating into society after a brain injury can be difficult. ILST Trainers teach individuals how to interact effectively in social situations, covering topics such as appropriate gestures, facial expression, and voice. Community integration brings better relationships with family and friends, a crucial component of social and mental well-being.

Community Resources

As part of the ILST process, individuals get connected with community resources that can support their well-being. Individuals are linked with local community resources, learn how to coordinate services they receive, and engage in recreational activities. This whole-person approach enriches their lives and promotes a deep sense of belonging.

In Closing

ILST is a lifeline for many people in Colorado who have experienced a brain injury. A brain injury can result in losing essential life skills, but the right training with ILST helps individuals regain these critical abilities.

Do you or someone you know live with a brain injury? Find out how Andrea’s Angels can assist in regaining independence.