Supportive Home Care and Care Managers/Coordinators
Why move? Why stay? ..are two questions asked when trying to decide whether an individual should remain at 'home'. Some adults and families may come to the conclusion, for a number of personal reasons that it is time to seek another living option. When they do a 'pro and con sheet' they have more positive reasons to make a move. For other adults and their families it can be more difficult. Some may want to remain at home no matter what. Some families are split. What is important to understand is living at home safely and responsibly is a living option. Whether a person stays at home with care or moves to a facility that offers care, the key is that a person remains safe and receives the care needed in a dignified way. How do you know the options?
First, a good assessment is necessary. Using current medical, financial and social information a professional can help lay out the options. The Counties have qualified staff through their Departments of Adult Services and Aging to help both adults with disabilities and older adults explore their options. This is a good way to be introduced to benefits and services offered to assist people to live independently in the community. Most people are not aware that there are options and you do not need to be destitute to receive assistance.
Assessments may also available through agencies that specialize in a particular disability or they will direct you to the appropriate source. Qualified 'for pay' Care Management and Care Coordination professionals are another option. Private social workers and/or nurses will evaluate the needs and explore the options.
The information at times can be overwhelming. It is helpful and at times even necessary to have professionals who will help assess needs, explore options, develop a plan of care, help select services and providers, coordinate the agreed upon services, advocate on the persons behalf and monitor the services once in place. For families who live at a distance or whose busy lives or work schedules do not allow them to be available, the option of hiring a private care manager may be quite worthwhile.
What are some of the service options to assist a person in staying at 'home'? Individuals use personal care attendants / personal care services for baths and other personal care needs. The attendants may assist an individual throughout their day. There are home delivered meals which can include special diets, homemaking, shopping and chore services, telephone reassurance callers, 'life line' systems, money management, transportation programs even pet services. To help break the isolation some receive friendly visitors from neighborhood programs and / or attend local meal and recreation programs. One may choose to go to an adult day service program where many of the above services are provided. Visit our information on Adult Day Services for more information.
How are these services paid for? Based on the assessment that looks at both financial and physical needs, some people may have the services covered through a variety of public programs free of charge. Other individuals may have co-payments or cost shares, have a mix of free and privately paid for services or pay completely on a private pay basis. For some this may sound expensive. Once you need more than about 12 hours of care a day you are paying about the same as if you were living in some assisted or skilled care options. You may want to use the "Living at Home" cost sheet provided on this web site, making sure you include the costs of supportive home services, to determine the cost to stay at home.
Regardless of the cost it is critical that the person be viewed as being safe. Often individuals feel that they are giving up their independence by accepting or bringing in services. On the contrary, the services are designed to assist the individual to remain as independent as possible in the setting of their choice while maintaining maximum quality of life. If you know a person who refuses meals, does not bathe, constantly forgets to take medications or complains about finances, a call to your county department of adult or aging services could be very appropriate. These could be examples of self neglect and the person would benefit from an assessment of the situation. Often people do not know what help is available or they are too ashamed to ask.
The Supportive Home Care pages within this web site contain two types of 'supportive' information.
One contains names and phone numbers from the individual Counties pertaining to area services and the necessary access numbers needed receive an assessment or some services.
The second type provides information on Care Management / Care Coordination professionals.
When you have questions pertaining to living options you may also contact us here, through this web site or call us at Interfaith Older Adult Programs, Living Options Program, (414) 291-7500.