The Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP) is a Medicaid program that gives elderly and disabled people choices and more control about the changes in their health care and lifestyle. Through the CDPAP program, consumers are able to choose and hire their own personal assistants (PA), such as a friend or family member that gets paid to act as their caregiver. The flexibility CDPAP offers senior and disabled patients to adapt more comfortably to the later stages of their life.
When the health of an elderly or disabled person deteriorates to the point where they require assistance to accomplish everyday activities, it is time to make some tough decisions. Do you hire a home health aide (HHA) to go into their home to provide home care or perhaps it’s best to just move them into an assisted living facility? Both options have their pros and cons and need to be discussed with the patient and their family.
Disadvantages of Home Health Aides
While HHAs offer valuable services for many seniors, there are some shortcomings as well. HHAs are typically provided at random by a home care agency. This means the HHA will most likely be a stranger. The relationship between the patient and the HHA is often treated strictly as business — without a personal touch or emotional connection. No HHA can come close to understanding and caring for their patient like a family member or dear friend would.
Disadvantage of Assisted Living Facilities
One significant disadvantage assisted living facilities is the loneliness that results from separating people who are together in a partnership, marriage, or living near their friends and family. It is frightening to be torn away from the people who have been your main source of comfort and companionship for years. Leaving the familiar surroundings of your home to live in an assisted living facility can cause fear and sadness and may lead to depression and a further decline in health.
Advantages of CDPAP:
• The elderly or disabled person remains at home with their partner or spouse
• They have the advantage of ongoing nurturing and support from their partner
• The PA is a familiar person that is sensitive to their lifestyle and understands their needs
• Less disruption to their normal, daily routine occurs
• Their spouse needs only to adapt to gradual changes in their daily schedule
In addition to allowing patients to remain with their spouses, partners, families, and CDPAP helps ensure that the patient under care is receiving care from someone that loves them.
To learn more about CDPAP and for assistance in the CDPAP enrolment process, contact Edison Home Health Care to learn about the Medicaid home care program and help your loved one get the care they need today.
