Choice - The Greatest Freedom of All
The healthcare paradigm is shifting and self direction is the model to look for – and what every health system should strive to achieve. It is how long term care is evolving. Currently most long-term care benefits are on an as-needed basis, pieced together based on separate eligibility requirements, and sometimes with several different funding sources.
True self-direction, also called consumer direction or participant direction, is a revolutionary way of thinking. The intention is to maintain a person’s lifestyle at home and in their community rather than relying so heavily on nursing facility care. This movement offers a choice and an empowerment; a trust, respect, and understanding that each individual knows their unique circumstances intimately and therefore is the most qualified person to provide the ultimate judgment of their needs.
How it works is this – a funding source provides a monthly allotment of funds to be budgeted to pay for services that directly relate to each specific person’s care. For example, one person may choose to hire their neighbor for housekeeping services, and a grandchild for personal hygiene. Other items purchased may be snow removal and lawn care, several days at an adult day program, and transportation to get to the grocery store. In our current system, unless that same person could pay privately for these services, that person would only be able to have an allotted amount of adult daycare services and personal care hours which would include housekeeping, and would not be able to choose their provider or the caregiver. Lawn care, snow removal, and transportation would not be services that would be covered at all.
Leading this movement locally is the Togus Veterans’ Administration Medical Center in partnership with Spectrum Generations, the Central Maine Area Agency on Aging. The program is known state-wide as Veterans Independence Program, or VIP. Once a Veteran has been deemed eligible, the Veteran is able to access their allotted funds with the support of a Care Advisor through Spectrum Generations. The Veteran makes their own choices regarding the program; however Spectrum Generations acts as the go-between, paying the invoices and workers wages and providing expertise on available services in the Veteran’s community.
The VIP program is ideal for Veterans who wish to stay in their own home but need additional supports in order to do so. Spectrum Generations is currently referring Veterans, so if you or a loved one may benefit from this program, you are urged to call us today.
For more information about the VIP program, or if you have interest in the program for yourself or a loved one, call Spectrum Generation’s at 1-800-639-1553 – or visit us online at www.spectrumgenerations.org.