Medicaid Managed Care - U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging

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ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE AND RELATED DISORDERS. THESE PROVIDERS
MUST BE ABLE TO PROVIDE DEMENTIA CAPABLE SERVICES WHICH
INCLUDE SUBSTANTIAL SUPPORT AND KNOWLEDGE IN THE AREA OF
CAREGIVER STRESS.
2. THE PLAN OF CARE IS CONSUMER DRIVEN AND THE DECISION-MAKING
PROCESS INCLUDES THE INDIVIDUAL AND/OR RESPONSIBLE PARTY.
3. THE MANAGEMENT BE COORDINATED THROUGH AN INTERDISCIPLINARY
TEAM OF PROFESSIONALS, PARA PROFESSIONALS, FAMILY MEMBERS
AND/OR RESPONSIBLE PARTIES.
THE FOLLOWING REPRESENT OBSTACLES TO OBTAINING SERVICES:
1. SECURING PAYMENT FOR SERVICES IN OUR CURRENT SYSTEM FOR
SOMEONE WHO NEEDS ONGOING "CUSTODIAL CARE' IS ALMOST
IMPOSSIBLE. THE ISSUE OF NEEDING SKILLED CARE SUCH AS:
REGISTERED NURSES, HOME HEALTH AIDES, PHYSICAL THERAPY, AND
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY VERSUS CUSTODIAL CARE SUCH AS
COMPANIONS, HOME MAKERS, OR DAY CARE IS A SIGNIFICANT PROBLEM
FOR PEOPLE SUFFERING FROM ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE. AN INDIVIDUAL
WITH ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE COULD BE MANAGED IN A MUCH MORE COST
EFFECTIVE MANNER IF THE SYSTEM WAS DESIGNED ASA COMBINATION
OF A MEDICAL AND SOCIAL MODEL OF CARE.
2. PROVIDERS OF CARE ARE NOT TRAINED IN PROVIDING THE APPROPRIATE
LEVEL OF CARE, ESPECIALLY IN THE AREA OF DEMENTIA CARE.
3. THE LACK OF A COORDINATED SERVICE DELIVERY SYSTEM FOSTERS THE
CURRENT EXPENSIVE AND COMPLEX SYSTEM OF LONG TERM CARE.