Are Money Follows the Person Program Participants Better Off? A Pre- Post- Analysis of Quality of Life

This study analyzed the results of quality of life surveys that were conducted with Money Follows the Person program participants prior to transition from a nursing home or intermediate care facility, and again approximately one year after transition to a community setting. The pre-transition surveys were primarily conducted in-person, and the post-transition surveys were primarily conducted by telephone. Surveys were completed either by the participant, a proxy, or the participant with assistance. The study population included 179 program participants in Georgia that completed a pre-transition survey and a post-transition follow-up survey from January 2009 through September 2011. The participants reported an increased ability to make choices and have control of scheduling meals, bed time and having privacy when they chose to. In addition, at the follow-up there was a 44 percent increase in those reporting that they had a choice in where they live, and a 29 percent increase in participants stating that they liked where they live. However, there were multiple indications that the participants had less community integration or inclusion post-transition. For example, at the follow-up there was a 14 percent increase in the number of participants that stated that they could not see friends and family when they wanted to and the percentage of participants indicating that they go out to do fun things in the community dropped by 21 percent. Despite these challenges, when asked if the participants were happy with the way they lived their lives, 15 percent more participants were happy after the transition.