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Nursing Facility Transitions. People with disabilities and seniors can live successfully in the community. Why a movement to transition people out of nursing facilities?. Personal Choice Aging of the Baby Boomers The Supreme Court’s Olmstead Decision.
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Nursing Facility Transitions People with disabilities and seniors can live successfully in the community
Why a movement to transition people out of nursing facilities? • Personal Choice • Aging of the Baby Boomers • The Supreme Court’s Olmstead Decision
What kind of people can transition out of nursing homes? • Just about anybody! • People with diverse needs, abilities, incomes, and available supports successfully transitioned out through previous nursing home transition work.
History of Nursing Home Transitions in Michigan • Michigan was one of the first states to undertake a statewide effort to transition people out of nursing homes. From 1998-2004 advocates worked around the state to help get people out. • 274 people transitioned to community based care • 466 people diverted from nursing facility placement
Personal Stories • Let’s take a look at some of the different people who have successfully transitioned under previous programs.
Background • In his late 60’s • Became transition client in December 2000 • Has cerebral palsy (CP) • Lived most of life in state institutions • Early attempt to live on his own failed
Housing • Needed a barrier free, subsidized apartment • Long waiting lists for good housing • Multiple apartment applications • Several months to locate apartment • Very limited funding available
Accessibility • 3 heavy steel doors to enter building • Could not unlock front door • Could not reach the entrance buzzer • No wheelchair accessible shower • Management was slow to resolve these issues
Care Requirements • Needed Medicaid Waiver Services • Required help with all of his ADL’s • In 2000, Waiver slots very limited • Coordination of Housing and Waiver services
Financial • Very limited income • Could not physically manage his own checking account or bills • No family or long standing friends to assist • Needed representative payee
Other Challenges • In 2004, went back to nursing home
HappyEndings • New apartment • New opportunity thru NFTI grant • Transition fund purchases • Bathing system • Automatic door opener • Charlie’s achievements • On his own for 5 years • Spoke at LTC public hearings • Active in the local CIL
Nellie • Owned home in the community with grandson and husband • 6-month stay in nursing home • Nursing Home Closure • Wanted to return to the community • Successful transition due to collaboration with Nellie’s direction
Nellie • Owned home in the community with grandson and husband • 6-month stay in nursing home • Nursing Home Closure • Wanted to return to the community • Successful transition due to collaboration with Nellie’s direction
What services are available to help people live successfully in the community? • Supports Coordination • Home care/personal assistance • Finding Housing • Home modification • Recreational/Social support • Visiting Physicians and health-related services • Physical & Occupational Therapy • Financial Services • Transportation • Chore Services • Home-delivered meals • Personal Emergency Response Devices
What is the process like? • Contact a transition specialist • Hold an introductory meeting • Discuss your personal situation, needs, and thoughts on community-based living • Make a plan for the transition • It can take 6-12 months to put everything in place for the transition • Transition • Receive needed supports • Review on-going needs and change plans accordingly
Who can I contact for more information and assistance? • Your local Area Agency on Aging and/or Waiver Agent • Your local Center for Independent Living • Your local Nursing Home Ombudsman • Your local Department of Human Services Office • Your local United Way First Call for Help or 2-1-1 organization
Resources • State Long Term Care Ombudsman Office • (517) 517-335-0148 • www.miseniors.net click on the Ombudsman Program under Quick Links on the right hand side of the page • Citizens for Better: www.cbcmi.org • Fact Sheets • Contact information for many local ombudsmen
Resources • Centers for Independent Living Listings • www.macil.net • Waiver Agent Listings • www.miseniors.net
Resources for Community Outreach (cont) • Area Agency on Aging Listings • www.mi-seniors.org/ • Local Department of Human Service Office Listings • www.michigan.gov/dhs • Michigan Protection and Advocacy Service • www.mpas.org click on self-help support groups (currently the link does not work, but they are searching for funding) • Arcs in Michigan • www.arcmi.org