To Be On Your Own: Living with IDD at Osprey Village

To those who may not know, Osprey Village is an assisted living community designed for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities—like myself. Living here means stepping into a new kind of independence. You’ll no longer rely solely on your parents for help. You’ll begin to count on staff, neighbors, and most importantly, yourself.

That transition can be exciting, but also a bit overwhelming. So when that big day comes—when everything is built and you finally move into your own place—you’ll want to make sure you're prepared with the right essentials.

To help make things easier, I’ve broken this guide into six main categories: bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, living area, cleaning supplies, and essentials.

Bedroom

Being comfortable in your own space is important. I recommend:

• A mattress (and maybe a mattress pad or topper)

• Bed sheets, pillows, comforter, and blankets

• A dresser, nightstand, and clothes hangers

• Curtains or blackout blinds

• Spare lightbulbs

Bathroom

There are three main areas to focus on: toiletries, towels, and miscellaneous items.

Toiletries:

• Shampoo, conditioner, soap, body wash

• Toothbrush, toothpaste

• Any medications you need

Towels:

• Bath towels, hand towels, and a bathmat

Miscellaneous:

• Shower curtain and rings

• Toilet brush and (in my opinion) a plunger

Kitchen

You’ll want to cook at home instead of ordering out every night. Here’s what I suggest:

Cookware & Utensils:

• Pots, pans, baking sheet

• Spatula, whisk, serving spoons

Dishes & Silverware:

• Plates, bowls, glasses, mugs

• Forks, knives, spoons

Appliances:

• Toaster, kettle, microwave (optional)

Other Tools:

• Can opener, bottle opener, cutting board

• Mixing bowls, measuring cups, potholders

Living Area

Make your space cozy and functional with:

• Couch or sleeper sofa

• Comfortable chairs

• Coffee table

• Dining table with chairs

Electronics:

• TV, TV stand, power strips, and cords

Cleaning Supplies

Keeping your home clean is a big part of independent living. You’ll need:

Cleaning Products:

• All-purpose cleaner, toilet bowl cleaner

• Disinfectant, glass cleaner

Cleaning Tools:

• Broom and dustpan

• Mop and bucket

• Sponges, cloths, vacuum cleaner

Other Items:

• Trash bags, recycling bin

• Laundry detergent

Essentials

This is the most important category. These are the “first-night” items and things you should always have:

• Toilet paper, paper towels

• First-aid kit

• Phone/laptop chargers, extension cords

• Flashlight or headlamp, batteries

• Box cutter or scissors

• Basic home tools (hammer, screwdriver, etc.)

Important Documents:

• ID (driver’s license, passport, social security card, birth certificate)

• Financial info (credit/debit cards, bank info, cash)

• Medical records, lease, car title, and other personal documents

Final Tips

Before you move:

• Set up your utilities (electricity, internet, etc.)

• Notify your bank, credit card companies, and government agencies of your address change

• Consider hiring a moving company and getting moving insurance

• Declutter before you pack—only bring what you really need

That’s all for this week! I hope this list helps you feel a little more prepared and a lot more confident about the exciting step of living on your own. See you next week!

— John