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Yvonne M. Bradshaw, MAP, Andrea D. Hart, PhD, Vanessa R. Nehus, MA, and Mark E. Swanson, MD, MPH. Partners for Inclusive Communities, University of AR for Medical Sciences, 2001 Pershing Circle, Suite 300, N. Little Rock, AR 72114, 501-682-9904, BradshawYvonneM@UAMS.EDU
Government programs offering individuals more self-direction in their services which allow consumers to continue to live within their community are now being offered in the State of Arkansas. One of these programs, IndependentChoices, offers individuals who require personal care assistance the opportunity to direct their own personl care. Previously, the only options in personal care services were those provided and managed by a professional agency. The IndependentChoices program allows individuals to directly receive money for their personal care services. Individuals are then responsible for hiring, managing, and supervising a personal care attendant (PCA). Through previous research efforts funded by the CDC, it was found that satisfaction levels of consumers of personal care in self-directed programs were higher than satisfaction levels of consumers in traditional agency-based services. Even though consumers were found to be generally more satisfied in self-directed programs, a need was identified for more extensive training materials to help them successfully manage their PCA. Specific needs identified included information on how to train, supervise, and communicate activities of daily living (ADLs) to their PCA. In an effort to address these training needs, two manuals were developed; a training manual for consumers of self-directed personal care and a companion handbook for their personal care attendants. This presentation will demonstrate the contents of the two training manuals including: needs assessment forms, communication techniques, hiring, managing, training, and conflict management, preventing secondary conditions, and the importance of physical fitness and nutrition.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Disability Policy, Community-Based Care
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.