Whether I’m visiting or working, each time at the dreaded ‘nursing home’ my craft as a nurse begins to manifest itself. I assess each nursing home resident I come into contact with, and make my own assessment whether he or she could enjoy living at home with assistance versus living in the nursing home; some obviously need to be right where they are hence, no assessment needed. Others, I, of course would need more medical information to be disclosed and that would not be possible because of HIPAA (The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 that essentially states that no one’s personal medical history can be shared without permission.
There are several reasons for anyone, not just the elderly, to be admitted to a nursing home. The main reason in my professional opinion would be the need of 24 hour care. As we grow older and begin to ail and combined with other diagnoses, assistance from others is necessary. In the past, family members would opt to admit a loved one in a nursing home for care in general. However, 24 hour care may not be needed for an individual and nowadays assistance can be performed in the home. I’m not sure what the real studies prove, but I’m sure if I ask 100 people which type of care would they prefer if their health was failing and they needed help, the majority would prefer to stay in their homes. hus
In today’s healthcare solutions, aged and disabled persons are presented with options to avoid being admitted to a nursing home. After processes of eligibility and qualifying assessments, the states participating in Home Community Based Services Medicaid programs will allow assistance in a participant’s home who meets a nursing home level of care.
The Adult Day Care solution renders to the aged and disabled Medicaid and private pay participant, ordinary daily human behavior interactions with others. The Adult Day Care provides activities, meals, and on site medical provisions like nursing for administering medications and/or podiatry care. It also allows the participant to enjoy outdoor activity i.e. field trips.
The other home community based programs are the programs that authorizes an aide or personal care attendant to assist the Medicaid participant with activities in their home. These activities include: cleaning bathroom, kitchen and living areas, running errands, laundry, meal preparation, mobility and transfer, toileting, grooming and bathing, and some others. These particular programs were designed to keep participants from nursing home admissions.
One of the home community based programs called Consumer Directed Services actually allow the participant to choose a family member, non-spousal, to perform the authorized tasks. The chosen family member or friend will be monetarily compensated for doing the work in the home. This is a very trending and popular program throughout the Missouri area as this is where I’m working my own business.
I was thinking of this program when I decided to write about the options that an aged or disabled person with unmet needs at home may have. The Consumer Directed Services program is more desirable because attendants will be paid for the work that they have actually been doing for some time anyway. The program could be a solution for trust and privacy issues. There are many aged and disabled persons who qualify to get help but will not because of trust or privacy issues.
The Consumer Directed Services program is offered in many states. The more common names are CDS or DADS. Please check the state that you’re in if you feel you could use personal care assistance in your home. I would check for that program before a decision to put me in a nursing home arrives.
My company, Agape Community Healthcare, PC, located in St. Louis, Missouri, does provide such programs. Our aim is to prevent disease, promote health and protect communities from abuse and exploitation. The premise of our vision is helping others live the best possible life despite circumstances. So if you are someone you know. recognizes that help is truly needed while you’re still in your homes… don’t be afraid to pursue it. I believe we will all age more gracefully in our own homes.
