Care Coordination is a part of the community care system that helps older adults remain at home by assisting with activities of daily living on a short-term basis:
- To restore functional capabilities after illness or hospitalization
- To educate older adults and their caregivers to provide self-care
Client referrals are accepted from any source.
The program provides:
- assessment of a client's functional and impairment level in order to identify their needs and problems
- development of a care plan to meet client's needs that are unmet within their existing support system
- arrangement for coordinated delivery of those services
- monitoring changes in the client's condition and circumstances, and in the services provided
- reassessment of the client's needs on a regular basis.
Service standards developed by the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services provide specific guidelines for service provision. The guidelines have been developed with strict adherence to legislative mandates and the Older Americans Act of 1965, as amended.
SUPPORTIVE SERVICES
- Homemaker - routine household chores
- Personal Assistance - bathing, dressing, grooming
- Durable Medical Equipment that Medicare does not pay for
- Personal Emergency Response Systems
- Residential Repair & Home Modification for health and safety purposes
- Other services appropriate to address needs that are identified through the assessment and care planning process.
ELIGIBILITY AND PRIORITY
Care coordination services are available to persons 60 years of age and older. Services are targeted to those who will be able to regain their independence by receiving short-term support services (no longer than six to eight weeks in duration). Our goal is to promote independence.
Priority for services through the Care Coordination program will been given to those who:
- have recently (within the last 30 days) been hospitalized or suffered a health care crisis
- have a moderate to severe functional impairment (determined during in-home assessment by Care Coordinator);
- due to income/resources are disqualified for entitlement programs (Medicaid), yet income and/or resources are insufficient to pay for the total cost of needed care
- require two or more community based services (for example, must need and accept more than homemaker services or more than a home delivered meal)
- are in great economic or social need, with particular emphasis on low-income minority persons
- have a limited support system
- live in a rural area.
Persons who are already receiving Primary Home Care or Family Care through the Medicaid system are not eligible for the same services under the AAACAP Care Coordination program because it would be an unlawful duplication.
Persons who have been deemed terminally ill and eligible for or receiving Hospice services are not eligible under the AAACAP Care Coordination program.
Persons who are receiving skilled nursing and in-home supportive services through the Medicare system will be considered on a case by case basis as long as there is no duplication of services.
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CAREGIVER SUPPORT PROGRAM
The Caregiver Support Program is designed to support family members who are caring for adults 60 years of age or older, grandparents raising grandchildren or other relatives under age 18 and caregivers 60 or older who provide care to persons with developmental disabilities.
The caregiver is the client and the care plan is intended to help the caregiver deal with the challenges of providing care. Short-term support services provide temporary relief to caregivers and assist caregivers in planning for future needs.
The goal is to reduce the stress of caregiving.
SUPPORTIVE SERVICES
- Homemaker - routine household chores
- Personal Assistance - bathing, dressing, grooming
- Durable Medical Equipment that Medicare does not pay for
- Personal Emergency Response Systems
- Residential Repair & Home Modification for health and safety purposes
- Respite Care (in-home or facility-based) - relief support for primary caregivers through vendor agencies or independent provider voucher program
- Education & Training for Caregivers
- Other available public and private services appropriate to address needs of the care receiver as identified through the assessment and care planning process.
ELIGIBILITY AND PRIORITY
- Care Receiver (person caregiver is caring for) must be 60 years or older
- Care Receiver must require assistance with at least two activities of daily living such as bathing, grooming, feeding, transfer assistance, personal care
- The Caregiver cannot be paid for caregiving activities
Priority
- Care receivers are in great economic or social need, with particular emphasis on low-income, rural, minority persons
- Caregivers with limited or no formal/informal support system
- Caregiver stress level is moderate to severe and/or caregiver is experiencing physical health problems
Contact:
Cynthia Hernandez
512-916-6067 or toll free at 1-888-622-9111
Email: chernandez@capcog.org
Do you know a family caregiver? Chances are you do.
Many family caregivers are providing help for their loved ones twenty-four hours a day. Some studies show that as many as three fourths of all family a caregivers are "going it alone". They could really use your help.
Here are some suggestions for ways you can offer your help and support to the generous family caregivers in your life.
- Call the caregiver on a regular basis to find out how he or she is doing. Listen with an open heart and a non-judgmental ear. You don't have to solve the problems, just listening is the best help you can offer.
- Volunteer to stay with the care recipient one evening or afternoon a week, every other week, or every month whatever you can offer. Encourage the caregiver to enjoy the break and not worry about you or the care recipient.
- Send a note expressing your love an admiration for the family caregiver.
- Encourage the family caregiver to keep up their own interests and hobbies - and help them find the time needed to do so. These activities help to relive the stress of caregiving and are very important to the health and well-being of the caregiver.
- Lessen the caregiver's load by running errands when you can. Offer to pick up groceries, medications, whatever the caregiver needs.
- Call the caregiver and say, "Don't worry about dinner. I'll bring it over at 5:30." It doesn't have to be fancy. It just has to be from you.
- Offer to make phone calls on behalf of the family caregiver to learn about community services that can help.
- Share a hug! Caregivers give so much of themselves - they need regular "hug replacements".
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FAQ's (Frequently Asked Questions)
1. What are the qualifications to receive Care Coordination services?
An individual must be 60 years of age or older, and had a recent hospital stay or health crisis.
2. Is there a fee for the services?
No, there is no fee for service. Clients are encouraged to make voluntary contributions, but are not denied services if they do not make contributions. Contributions received are put back into the program to support services.
3. If I am receiving home health services, can I qualify for Care Coordination services?
Yes, if you meet the other qualifications, you can receive assistance with household chores (light housekeeping necessary for the client).
4. If I live with my family member, can I qualify for Care Coordination services?
That is determined on a case-by-case basis.
5. For how long can I receive Care Coordination Services?
Services are normally provided for a six-week period.
6. Do I need a doctor's order or referral?
No
7. What are the qualifications for receiving Caregiver support services?
A. The Caregiver must be caring for an individual over 60. Who needs assistance with at least two activities of daily living (bathing, grooming, transferring, feeding ect.)
B. The caregiver must be 60 or older and caring for a person with developmental disabilities.
C. The Caregiver must be a grandparent or relative over 60 or older with the primary responsibility for raising children under 18 years of age.
8. May I be paid for taking care of my relative?
If you are identified as the primary caregiver for your relative you cannot be paid to provide care. The main goal of our program is provide respite, "relief" from the care giving duties. We will pay another individual to provide care while you "take a break"
9. For how long can I receive Caregiver Support Services?
A. A caregiver will typically receive 8-12 hours of in-home respite care, for 12 weeks. Hours may be decreased or increased depending upon the needs of the caregiver and care receiver as assessed by the care coordinator.
B. Non-residential respite care in an Adult Day Care Program, social respite program or independent personal care home may be provided for 12 weeks for usually 2 to 3 days per week.
C. Overnight respite in a long-term care facility is provided on a short-term basis to allow the caregiver to receive and extended period of respite for vacation, ect. AAACAP can provide 5-7 days of long-term respite as determined by cost of facility and needs of care receiver.
10. Who provides the respite care? Where do the workers come from?
The AAACAP contracts with in-home care agencies to provide the services. All vendor agencies are licensed and workers' training is conducted by the vendor agencies. The caregiver/client is always given the opportunity to choose an agency of their choice.
If a care giver chooses to use our respite voucher program. The caregiver can choose an independent provider. This provider may be a neighbor, friend, church member, or family member who does not live in the home. In this case the caregiver is the employer so the caregiver is responsible for training the worker, obtaining references and or background checks.
11. Can I get the same type of care for my mother/dad or care receiver in another area?
Yes, area agencies are located in every state. Got to Eldercare locator or call 1-800-672-1116, to find the AAA in the region where your family member lives. Available services may vary somewhat due to size of AAA and regional differences.
12. Who can help me with Care Coordination services at the Area Agency on Aging?
Cynthia Hernandez
512-916-6067 or toll free at 1-888-622-9111
Email: chernandez@capcog.org
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Questions/comments concerning this page,
EMail: austexal@austin.rr.com
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