In 1973, STEP and SMILE formally merged and were incorporated as Independent Living, Inc. a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization. ILI continued the Telephone Reassurance and Friendly Visiting program formerly provided by STEP in addition to the home safety assessments, counseling and transportation noted above. Independent Living's blue busses served the City of Madison and surrounding communities until 1988.  ILI continues to provide services today throughout Dane County through the Transportation program.

In the fall of 1973, Independent Living, Inc. accepted oversight of Dane County's Congregate Noon Meals program for the elderly, beginning at the Colonial Club in Sun Prairie on December 17, 1973.  In January, 1974, sites opened in Mazomanie, Waunakee, Stoughton and two in Madison.  By the end of 1996, when local entities assumed responsibility for the program, it had grown to 16 sites. The program evolved into ILI's current Evening Meals on Wheels program.

In May 1974, Housekeeping services were added and in 1979, ILI began its focus on housing with the establishment of the Home Share program. Initially an extension of the Friendly Visiting program, Home Share was officially launched with a grant of $191,000 from Gulf & Western in 1982. In 1981, ILI began the Home Care program, providing in-home personal care to older adults.

In 1986, ILI's housing efforts expanded and Chandler HOME, an eight-bed CBRF, was opened on Chandler Street near Meriter Hospital.  The facility closed in 2001 with the opening of an expanded CBRF, Segoe Gardens Assisted Living, at 602 N. Segoe Road in Madison.

Recognizing the importance of affordable housing for the elderly in our community, ILI developed a 42 unit, income-qualifying apartment building at 2931 Chapel Valley Road in Fitchburg in 1991.  The doors to McKee Park Apartments opened in 1995 are now home to low-income older adults over the age of 62.

In 1996, ILI developed affordable condominium units at 1000 Hunters Trail in Sun Prairie.  The 69 units are designed specifically for older adults and their social and physical needs.  In 1997, the first residents of Olympic Village at Sun Prairie moved into their new homes.

In 1996, ILI expanded its in-home services to include the Financial Management and Counseling Program. Responding to an increasing need to provide assistance with finances to older adults the program involves assisting clients with bill paying, checkbook reconciliation, budget analysis and monitoring, debt advocacy and management, research and clarification of Medicare and insurance and education about financial fraud and abuse.

In 2000, ILI purchased the former Attic Angel Association housing facility at 602 N. Segoe Road in Madison. In May of that year, ILI assumed the property and began an extensive renovation process.  The former nursing home was converted into the 16 unit CBRF, Segoe Gardens Assisted Living and the Independent Living Retirement Community apartments.  The community offers a total of 97 units of affordable, service-supported housing for older adults.

Kibble on Wheels was started in 2006 through community partnerships between ILI, Mounds Pet Food Warehouse, Banfield Pet Hospitals and the Dane County Humane Society to deliver free, appropriate food for companion animals and prevent meal sharing by older adults to Evening Meals on Wheels recipients.

In 2007, ILI with support from United Way of Dane County piloted the Caregiver Respite program in response to the great need for those in a caregiver role.  This program provides respite care through in-home care services or a stay at the Segoe Gardens Assisted Living facility.

Today Independent Living, Inc. is a recognized leader in Dane County for providing high quality, innovative and cost effective community-based services to older adults and people with disabilities. 

Independent Health Care, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Independent Living, Inc.  IHC is licensed by the State of Wisconsin and Medicare certified by the federal government as a skilled home health agency.