Individuals that have difficulty caring for themselves or living independently turn to living specialists for help. The duty of a living specialist is to guide clients in attaining a more independent lifestyle, which typically involves creating systems that help clients cook, clean, shop, work, and generally provide for themselves with little to no help from others. Living specialists can work with anyone who wants to live more independently, but their usual clients are those that are elderly or have some sort of disability.
Aside from designing independent living systems based on their clients' needs, these professionals also provide instructions to their clients (cleaning, cooking, managing finances, etc.) and link them to the resources that they need, such as assistance programs, health facilities, and support groups.
Since a living specialist teaches various life skills, they must be a jack-of-all-trades type of person. Moreover, they must have a deep understanding of their client's unique circumstances, particularly their physical or mental limitations.
The typical requirement for this role is a bachelor's degree in psychology, social work, or another similar major. Living specialists must also have great skills in communication, instruction, and client relations, as well as lots of patience and empathy.