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Division of Aging and DHHS Divisions Eldercare Locator
Age with Dignity East Arkansas Western Arkansas
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This
column appears in the February 2006 edition of Aging Arkansas,
If you are eligible for Medicaid and don’t want to live in an institution you have real alternatives for quality, independent living. Choices in Living consists of five separate programs which can provide the care you need, as you continue to live independently in your own community: Under PERSONAL CARE you receive assistance from a trained caregiver. The great thing about PERSONAL CARE is that you continue to live on your own or with family and enjoy their company, while getting the care you need to live a healthy, comfortable life. The PERSONAL CARE program provides help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, meal preparation, toileting, etc. — that may present a problem for you now. These services are arranged for you by a licensed agency so you don’t have to worry about taxes, insurance, or even finding a qualified and trained caregiver. These services are all done by a licensed agency. Individuals who currently receive, or are eligible for Arkansas Medicaid benefits, and who have a medical need for personal care are eligible for the service if prescribed by a physician. Through the INDEPENDENT CHOICES program you arrange for your own care and receive a direct cash allowance to pay for it, while you live at home or with family. You can hire friends, relatives, neighbors or independent caregivers to help you with your daily personal care. Because you are responsible for arranging your own care, INDEPENDENT CHOICES enables you to obtain it from people you know and trust. You can also use this cash allowance to purchase other services and goods for their personal care. So, it’s very flexible. Anyone who currently receives, or is eligible for, Arkansas Medicaid benefits, is at least eighteen (18) years of age or older, and has a medical need for personal care can benefit from the program. You need to be interested in directing your own care, or have a family member or friend who can help you do it. You’ll also receive support and guidance in how to best use INDEPENDENT CHOICES from a counselor. If you prefer to have your services provided by a family member, the INDEPENDENT CHOICES program allows any family member you choose, except your spouse or other legally responsible adult, to provide your care. Through the ELDERCHOICES program agencies and their caregivers assist you with your needs while you live at home or with family. This program takes the worry out of trying to arrange for these services yourself, and is designed to keep you healthy and living independently near your friends and family. With ELDERCHOICES, you might receive nutritious, prepared meals delivered to your home (when you can’t prepare your own meals and don’t have someone available who can); help with your laundry, shopping, errands, simple household tasks, and meal preparation; the opportunity to make new friends during supervised adult care during the day; enjoyable activities to keep you fit and happy at adult day health care; regular visits from health workers to give your family and friends a time to relax and rest from the responsibilities of your care; enrollment in the Personal Emergency Response System (PERS), to give you peace-of-mind from knowing help is always available if you need it. ALTERNATIVES is for adults age 21 to 64 with physical disabilities. You arrange for your own care while you live at independently or with family. The great thing about this program is that you determine what types of care you receive. After all, who knows that better than you? With ALTERNATIVES, you can receive help with your normal daily activities from a caregiver. Plus, if you own your own home limited modifications can be made to take advantage of your strengths, and minimize inconveniences caused by your disability. So, you live independently, and continue to enjoy the company of those you know and love. The fifth program in Choices is LIVING CHOICES, also referred to as Assisted Living (or Assisted Living Choices). Under this program you live in apartment-style housing with 24-hour supervision, support services and personal health care. If living on your own or with family isn’t really practical, the LIVING CHOICES program enables you to live independently in your own apartment while also enjoying 24-hour supervision and care. One of the really great things about this program is that you can make new friends with folks living near you, while still enjoying the privacy afforded by your own apartment. LIVING CHOICES provides a lot of services to keep you healthy and happy. For example, if you need help getting around, bathing, toileting, eating and drinking, a trained person at LIVING CHOICES is there to help you do all those things. Plus, there are social activities to brighten your day, assistance with your medications, and many more services designed with one goal in mind — to make you feel good. LIVING CHOICES enables you to live on your own, to do the things you enjoy and to be healthy. Because of that, it’s a wonderful alternative to living in an institution. ELDERCHOICES, ALTERNATIVES and LIVING CHOICES/ASSISTED LIVING are all nursing home diversion programs, so to be eligible you must qualify for nursing home admission. Maximum income cannot exceed $1,809 per month for an individual and $2,712 for a couple. In addition, you cannot have more than the following countable assets: $2,000 for individual and $3,000 for a couple. Countable assets are things like cash in the bank, certificates of deposits, stock, etc. Usually your house and car are excluded. Want more information? Call toll-free: 1-866-801-3435, and ask about your Choices in Living. Division of Aging and Adult Services |
