Consumer Directed Services offer a means for people with disabilities or health issues to get the help they need with ADLs and IADLs. If he qualifies, your dad can choose his caregiver and ensure that person is paid to help your dad with daily activities like personal care, transportation, housekeeping, and meal preparation.
The goal of Consumer Directed Services is to help qualifying adults age at home, even if they need a helping hand. The key becomes if he qualifies. Not everyone qualifies for Consumer Directed Services. Here’s what your family needs to know about this beneficial service.
He Must Qualify for Medicaid
Your dad can only get help from Consumer Directed Services if he is on Missouri State Medicaid. To qualify for Medicaid as a senior, he needs to be 65 or older and have an SSN. He needs to meet the annual income limits, which are 85% of the federal poverty level, which is just over $11,500 (single-person household) or $15,500 (household of two) in 2022.
Your Dad Must Have Qualifying Health Conditions or Disabilities
To qualify, your dad has to have a qualifying health issue or physical disability. Advanced kidney disease is an example of a qualifying health condition. But, Alzheimer’s disease doesn’t qualify as it prevents him from being able to meet the most important rule regarding self-directed care.
He Must Be Able to Train and Direct His Personal Care Attendant
Your dad needs to be able to instruct and direct his personal care attendant. If he’s unable to do this, he will not qualify for Consumer Directed Care services. His medical power of attorney designee can ask the state if there are other options available through the CDS program that will help him get the care he needs.
He needs to be able to approve and sign off that his personal care attendant worked the reported hours on the timesheet. If there are problems, he needs to report them immediately to the provider or state.
He Needs Help With These ADLs
To qualify for Consumer Directed Services, your dad must require help with ADLs. This includes things like being able to dress himself in attire that’s suitable to the day’s weather. He needs help feeding himself. He has to have someone helping him stand up after sitting down or get in and out of bed.
Other ADLs include bathing, grooming, and hygiene chores. Your dad needs help brushing and flossing his teeth, shaving, and trimming his fingernails and toenails. He may also have a hard time with toileting and need help getting to the toilet on time and cleaning up after.
If he qualifies, your dad can choose a family member to provide his care. Exceptions are his spouse or a person he’s named as a power of attorney. He cannot pay those people to assist him.
The best way to learn more about Consumer Directed Services and whether your dad qualifies is by talking to an expert. Call now to learn more.
If you or an aging loved-one is considering CDS (Consumer Directed Services) in Florissant, MO please contact the caring staff at Home Care MO today. (314) 501-5330
We offer consumer directed services (CDS) in St. Louis County, St. Louis City and St. Charles, as well as Crawford, Franklin, Jefferson, Lincoln, Montgomery, Pike, St. Francois, Ste Genevieve, Warren and Washington Counties.
Sources:
https://mydss.mo.gov/media/pdf/benefit-program-limit-chart
https://health.mo.gov/seniors/hcbs/hcbsmanual/pdf/3.25.pdf
Home Care MO was established by veteran home care agency owners. Home Care MO is a home care agency that works with Missouri’s Consumer Directed Services (CDS) program. CDS is a Medicaid-funded program that enables you to hire the person of your choice to help with your care. This caregiver is also called a personal care attendant (PCA).
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