Services

Our programs have been developed to give our clients the most control of their services. We strongly encourage our clients to be involved with developing and directing their services, including recruiting staff. With the exception of PCA Choice, we require employees to be 18 or older.

The programs vary in reporting requirements and staff experience.

NOTE: Services marked with * require clients to be eligible for MN Medical Assistance, Prepaid Medical, or MN Waiver Program.

Personal Care Traditional*

The hours are determined by county Public Health and delegated, by the customer, to the agency. The service is flexible, within the care plan, and customers determine and direct their services with the agency supervisor. The agency is responsible for handling the staff, assignments, and determining employment details. Recipient is encouraged to be involved in this care as much as they would like to be.

IHFS, Personal Support, & Respite Programs*

In-Home Family Support Services, Personal Support Services, and Respite Services are all determined through MN Waiver Programs, and they have been established to provide specific support to disabled youth, adults, and their families. The hours are determined by county workers (public health nurses, social workers, case managers) and delegated to the agency to provide. Our agency has set up these programs to be flexible and allow for individual development to meet the needs of the disabled person. In this manner, the service is flexible and directed by the client/(responsible party) with the agency supervisor and designated county representative.

Homemaking Service Program*

Homemaking hours are determined by county workers (social workers, case managers) and delegated, by the client, to the agency to provide basic support with homemaking duties integral to maintaining independent living for individuals that meet the criteria for paid services. The services are determined by the state and are directed by clients/(responsible party) with the agency supervisor.

Housekeeping Service Program

Housekeeping hours are determined by customers that privately pay for services. The services include all homemaking, as well as, some other services. The service is flexible, and customers determine and direct their services with the agency supervisor.

How to Determine if You’re Eligible for State-Paid Services

Personal Care Attendant Assessment Program

The PCA Program provides support to:

  • People with disabilities
  • The elderly
  • People with chronic health conditions

PCA Services are for people who need help with day to day assistance in meeting their personal care needs. With help from a Personal Care Assistant (PCA) people can live independently in their homes and communities. PCA’S can not be paid if the client is hospitalized or institutionalized.

Eligibility for PCA Services

  • The recipient must be receiving MN Medical Assistance (MA), or be eligible for Services through a waiver Program
  • The PCA Service must be medically necessary
  • The recipient must be able to make decisions about their care or have a responsible party living with them who can make the decisions

Accessing PCA Services

A person can receive PCA services through one of the programs described below. Think of these as the “doors” to starting PCA services, with each program differing in how it is administered.

Home Care

This program is sometimes called MA Home Care. PCA Services are one type of service available.

Contact your county for more information. The county public health nurse is responsible to do the PCA assessment.

Waiver Programs and Alternative Care

These programs have specific eligibility criteria and have additional services to help people remain in the community.

  1. Alternative Care (AC)
  2. Community Alternative for Care (CAC)
  3. Community Alternatives for Disabled Individuals (CADI)
  4. Elderly Waiver (EW)
  5. DD Waiver

Contact your county social services department to learn more about the waivers and how to get services. A Service Coordinator/Case Manager is responsible for coordination of all services including PCA.

Categories of PCA Services

There are four categories of services a PCA can provide. The categories and short description are listed below.

  1. Assistance in accomplishing activities of daily living (ADLs) includes assistance with things like: Dressing, Grooming, Bathing, Eating, Positioning, Toileting, Transferring, Mobility
  2. Assistance in completing other (instrumental) activities of daily living (IADLs) includes things like: Meal planning and preparation, Managing finances, Shopping for food, clothing and other essential items, Completing necessary homemaking tasks, Communication by telephone and other media, Getting around in and participating in the community.
  3. Assistance in health-related functions are services that can be delegated or assigned by licensed health care professionals. Health related functions must be provided under the direction of a Qualified Professional (QP) or a physician.
  4. Redirection and intervention for behavior including observation and monitoring: Reminders to start and complete activities of daily living, Redirection of behavior that has the potential to cause harm to you or others.

PCA services may be used wherever your life takes you: Work, Shopping, Medical Appointments, House of Worship, School and Other places in the community.

Provider of PCA Services

Personal Care Provider Organization (PCPO)

Personal Care Provider Organization is sometimes call a PCA Agency. This agency is responsible for recruiting, hiring, training, scheduling and paying the PCA staff it employs. A PCA Agency also has Qualified Professional staff to help get you started and supervise established care plans.

For more information on PCA Services, please contact us.