Choice

Are you or a loved one recovering from a fall, stroke, illness, or other health concern?

Are you having some difficulties with some daily living tasks like bathing, dressing, getting up or down to move around (transfers), toilet use or eating?

Are you concerned about short-term memory and recall issues, confusion or difficulties organizing paperwork, or problems remembering to pay bills?

You are not alone! Many people are uncertain where to turn when they have questions about these issues.

CareWell Services SW  seeks to help older adults maintain their independence in their community and in their own homes.

Care Management provides person-centered care planning and service arrangements for frail seniors. There is no financial eligibility, but cost sharing is requested.

What does “Person-Centered” mean?

Person-centered means that your needs, desires, preferences, and goals are most important as we work with you and your caregivers to determine how, when, where, and by whom services are provided.

Your CareWell Services Care Manager can assist you in identifying what your choices and options are for medical and social supports which may be useful in order to maintain your health and independence.

CareWell Services respects the rights, beliefs, and dignity of our consumers. We actively seek to understand personal feelings and demonstrate compassion. We engage consumers and their caregivers within a teamwork structure to balance empowerment and interdependence. We strive to provide quality services which fulfill our mission to promote health, independence and choice, and our vision of creating choice for living.

CareWell Services’ Nursing Facility Transition (NFT) coordinator specializes in helping persons currently in nursing homes, who wish to leave the nursing home and transition back into living in a less restrictive home, apartment, or adult foster care environment. The NFT coordinator helps you understand and organize your options for everything you need for transitioning out of the nursing facility: housing, (including security deposits/utility startups and furnishing), durable medical equipment like hospital beds, shower seats, and home safety support,  plus care management planning for nursing, homecare services and community services like transportation and senior nutrition.

The  is a collaborative partnership between local Area Agency’s on Aging, the Veteran’s Health Administration, and the U.S. Department of Veteran’s Affairs. The program provides services to veterans to help them remain in their home or the home of a loved one, with the support of paid caregivers and purchased services such as chore services, respite care and personal care.

Working with a Veterans Health Administration social worker and a support coordinator from CareWell Services, veterans develop a plan to meet their care needs. Examples of services that may be available include:

• Homemaker and personal care
• Shopping, transportation, and errands provided by a paid caregiver
• Personal Emergency Response System (PERS)
• Chore services
• Respite care-in-home and out-of-home
• Adult day services
• Home delivered meals
• Caregiver support and training
• Environmental services including ongoing chore services and environmental support, extensive cleaning, home modification and home repair
• Medication setup and medication management
• Private duty nursing
• Goods and services to support independence but not available through other sources

The program is self-directed, which allows the veteran to manage the care services with the help of a support coordinator  and financial management provider. It is built on the premise that the individual receiving care has the right and ability to assess and determine how and by whom they receive care.

There are a number of advantages to self direction. You can hire a family member or someone who lives nearby to provide your care. If you already have someone who helps with your care and whom you trust, you can employ that individual as your caregiver or continue to use the same agency. You can also determine what services you want from a broader list of services that are available.

If you choose to hire family or friends to provide your care, you are the employer. A fiscal management service company assists you with employment paperwork, interviewing and hiring workers, and managing your hired caregiver.

The veteran is responsible for using their budget wisely. A support coordinator  will assist them in developing a budget based on their individual needs and preferences. Participants can also choose to use a traditional home care agency to provide their services.

For more information about this program contact CareWell Services Southwest at 269-966-2450 or 800-626-6719. You can also contact the local Veterans Health Administration at the Battle Creek VA Medical Center at 269-966-5600 or 888-214-1247.