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1. What is the Personal Support Aide Program?
The Personal Support Attendant (PSA) Program is a Georgia
Medicaid Waiver Program that helps people with permanent or chronic disabilities
live at home by providing funds to hire The Personal Support Attendant (PSA) The
Personal Support Attendant (PSA) can help with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)
such as:
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Mobility/Transfers
Medications
Bathing or grooming
Dressing or undressing
Range of Motion exercises
Eating
Toileting
The Personal Support Attendant (PSA) can also help
with Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (indirect activities of
Daily Living) such as:
Shopping
Laundry
Meal Preparation
Housekeeping The Personal Support Attendant (PSA)
time is not approved for activities such as recreation, babysitting, or
vocational training. Nor is The Personal Support Attendant (PSA) time
allowed for verbal prompting or cuing, or supervision. |
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2. Who is eligible?
You may be eligible for The Personal Support Attendant (PSA)
services if you are a US citizen and a resident of Georgia, who is on Medicaid
or eligible for Medicaid and:
You have a permanent or chronic disability that impairs
your ability to perform Activities of Daily Living and Indirect Activities of
Daily Living without physical assistance.
You need physical assistance with two or more Activities of Daily Living
(see list above)
Personal support services are prescribed by your physician
A case manager from CCSP or Source Waiver Programs determines that PSA
services are medically necessary.
3. How many hours of service will I get?
A case manager from CCSP or Source Waiver Programs will
provide an evaluation to help DFACS decide whether you qualify for Personal
Support Attendant (PSA) services. The evaluation will describe your personal
care needs in detail, and recommend how many hours of Personal Support Attendant
(PSA) services you need each week. After approval by your physician or nurse
practitioner, this evaluation is sent to Medicaid, which makes the final
decision about whether you are eligible and how many hours of Personal Support
Attendant (PSA) services will be approved for you. Personal Support Attendant (PSA)
services are usually approved for one year at a time.
4. I receive other services in my home. Can I still use Personal Support
Attendant (PSA) services?
Personal Support Attendant (PSA ) services can be used in
combination with some other services, such as Visiting Nurse, Occupational or
Physical Therapy, or Home Health Care services. Some other services that may be
used together with Personal Support Attendant (PSA ) include Adult Day Care and
Home Delivered Meals, and 24 hours Electronic Monitoring Services founded
through the Georgia Medicaid Waiver Program.
5. I live with my family. How will this affect my Personal Support
Attendant (PSA) services?
Our evaluation, and eventually your approval, will take into
consideration your disability and your living situation, as well as your daily
routine. If you live with family members they will be expected to assist with
most household chores. For example, routine laundry, housekeeping, shopping and
meal preparation should only include the needs of the family member with the
disability.
6. How are services determined for children?
Personal care services are based on needs that arise because of a disability
which impairs an individual's ability to perform activities of daily living
independently. For very young children, who would not normally be independent in
their activities of daily living (for example bathing, dressing, eating,
toileting), Personal Support Attendant (PSA) services will not generally be
approved for activities that are considered routine child care. A case manager
from CCSP or Source Waiver Programs evaluation teams will take the child's age
into consideration when evaluating the need for Personal Support Attendant (PSA)
time.
| 7. My disability is progressing, how can I get
more help?
The Personal Support Attendant (PSA) program should
reflect your current needs, so you should contact Caring Hands United,
Inc or Your Assigned case manager if your personal care needs change at
any time. A change in your personal care needs might be due to your
disability, or may be due to some other event, such as graduating from
school, or moving into your own home.
8. Who hires the Personal Support Attendant?
If Caring Hands United, Inc approves Personal Support Attendant (PSA)
services for you, Caring Hands United, Inc staff will recruit, hire,
fire, train and schedule your own Personal Support Attendant (PSA). |
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9. How many hours each week can my Personal Support
Attendant (PSA) work?
The Personal Support Attendant (PSA ) is scheduled according
to the number of hours approved by A case manager from CCSP or Source Waiver
Programs , which is based on your evaluation. Your Personal Support Attendant (PSA
) schedule may change slightly from week to week, depending on whether you might
have medical appointments that week, or other activities that do not take place
every week. Please be aware that your Personal Support Attendant (PSA ) will not
be paid for any work they do if there is no approval in place for that date, or
if you have used up all your approved Personal Support Attendant (PSA ) hours.
Personal Support Attendant (PSA ) services cannot be used while you are a
resident in a hospital or rehabilitation facility.
10. How is my Personal Support Attendant (PSA ) time
scheduled?
The Personal Support Attendant (PSA) hours would be scheduled
to provide the care that A case manager from CCSP or Source Waiver Programs has
authorized, at the time that you need that care. We suggest you use your
Personal Support Attendant (PSA) evaluation as the basis for a daily schedule,
for example, combining morning care tasks into a block of time that meets your
needs. It is up to you as to what time you want your Personal Support Attendant
(PSA) to come to work, when to shower or go to bed, or when to do your shopping
or laundry. Your Personal Support Attendant (PSA) schedule should be set up to
meet your own daily needs. The Caring Hands United, Inc admitting, assessment
nurse will work with you in this area to help you learn how best to schedule
your time.
11. What are my responsibilities? As a client of Caring Hands United, Inc,
you are responsible for:
Reviewing and signing the Personal Support Attendant (PSA) work report
sheets and activity forms verifying the Personal Support Attendant (PSA) duties
performed and time spent in the home
Following the rules of the Waiver Program
Letting Caring Hands United, Inc office and supervisory staff know if your
personal care needs change
Letting Caring Hands United, Inc know if you unexpectedly
need extra hours for one of your Personal Support Attendant (PSA)
Letting Caring Hands United, Inc know if you move, change your phone
number, or change your doctor.
12. Will Caring Hands United, Inc pay for Personal Support Attendant
assistance at night?
If a case manager from CCSP or Source Waiver Programs
approves Personal Support Attendant services for you at night, it will pay the
Personal Support Attendant for at least 2 hours of time for providing you with
direct assistance with ADLs at night. Night hours are from 12:00 midnight to
6:00 a.m.
Call Caring Hands United , Inc if you:
Would like to set up a lunch and learn session for your
staff ,if you are providing care and assistance to the elderly or disabled in
the community
Know anyone that can benefit from this Personal Support Assistance program
Have questions about our hiring, firing, training or scheduling of Personal
Support Assistants
Have questions about the process of requesting services for yourself or a
family member
13. What are the personal care agency's responsibilities?
As your personal care agency, Caring Hands United, Inc is responsible for:
Assessing your eligibility for the Personal Support Attendant (PSA) program
Evaluating the kind and amount of services you need
Asking Personal Support Attendant (PSA) performance in the home during the
supervisory visits
Working out a service agreement with you that describes
your rights and responsibilities, as well as the responsibilities of the
Personal Support Attendant (PSA) and Caring Hands United, Inc and A case manager
from CCSP or Source Waiver Programs
Reviewing your service plan with you periodically
Conducting re-evaluations as needed, and submitting them to
the case manager from CCSP or Source Waiver Programs every two months.
Caring Hands United, Inc employee or office staff will
initially gather your financial information and submit it to either a case
manager from CCSP or Source Waiver Programs , who must meet with you in person
for initial assessment . The case manager from CCSP or Source Waiver Programs
will also be assigned to you as an advocate and will meet with you at least
quarterly in your first year of service Also a registered nurse and licensed
practical nurse will be assigned to you when you apply for Personal Support
Attendant (PSA) services. All caring Hands United, Inc office staff have voice
mail, and e-mail and this is usually the best way to reach them.
14. What if I have problems with my Personal Support
Attendant (PSA) or with a decision regarding my services?
Caring Hands United, Inc Personal Support Attendant (PSA)
program has a process for dealing with any complaints or concerns. Your assigned
staffing coordinator or assigned RN or Lpn will explain the process to you and
make every effort to help you resolve your complaint or problem.
15. How and when do I pay my Personal Support Attendant (PSA)?
When you are approved by the CCSP or Source Waiver Programs,
Medicaid pays for Personal Support Attendant (PSA) services you will receive
paperwork showing the number of hours of service you are approved for, and the
start and ending dates of your approval. Every two weeks your Personal Support
Attendant (PSA ) will submit time sheets to Caring Hands United, Inc office that
you have signed verifying that you have received the Personal Support Attendant
(PSA ) Services and the hours worked. Each payroll period begins on a Sunday and
ends on a Saturday. The Personal Support Attendants (PSAs ) will normally
receive their paychecks the following Friday.
16. Will Caring Hands United, Inc pay the Personal Support Attendants (PSAs
) for overtime?
If A case manager from CCSP or Source Waiver Programs has
approved more than 40 hours per week of Personal Support Attendant (PSA )
services for you, Caring Hands United, Inc will hire at least two Personal
Support Attendants (PSAs ) so that none of your Personal Support Attendants (PSAs
) have to work for you more than 40 hours in one week. Caring Hands United, Inc
also have a back-up list of Personal Support Attendants (PSAs ) in case your
scheduled Personal Support Attendant (PSA ) cannot work that day.
17. How do I request more hours for my Personal Support Attendants (PSAs)?
If you are scheduled for a doctors appointment and need the Personal Support
Attendant (PSA ) to accompany you. You must contact A case manager from CCSP or
Source Waiver Programs immediately to request more hours if needed from a
Personal Support Attendant (PSA ). Caring Hands United , Inc can not pay out
more time than is allotted to your care plan.
The following information is needed to request more hours:
The work week for which the hours is requested
The total hours of hours requested
What was the unforeseen event that caused the need for more hours?
Training Your PSA(s):
Caring Hands United, Inc is responsible for training Personal
Support Attendants and will provide required general training session. For
example, new PSAs orientation to Caring Hands United, Inc policy and procedures,
basic first aid and CPR and universal precautions. You may also need to do the
training on your cares. For example, how to transfer from a bed to a chair or
how to style your hair.
Personal Support Attendant Scheduling: Caring Hands
United, Inc is responsible for scheduling staff for you and work with you and
your assigned care providers to develop a provider to meet your needs. You the
client help to make the schedule. The schedule will be developed to meet your
needs and will be developed with you during the initial assessment.
● Staff is scheduled on a monthly basis so if changes need to happen, there is
time to work out the details.
● Caring Hands United, Inc has the schedules posted two weeks
ahead of the time on the HHC staff scheduling software and your schedule can be
given to you in advance.
● Give your staffing coordinator advance notice for schedule
changes (both you and the PCAs). For example, if you are going on vacation, tell
your Personal Support Attendant and Caring Hands United, Inc ahead of time about
the change in the work schedule Personal Support Attendant Task Scheduling.
● Task scheduling is an activity that you direct. Tasks are the activities
that Personal Support Attendants do to assist you in maintaining your
independence. Examples of tasks include assistance with bathing, driving,
cleaning and cooking. Tasks can be scheduled on a daily basis and or on a weekly
basis.
Here is an example of a morning schedule:
6.00 - 6.30 Get up, assistance with showering, dressing and
brushing hair and teeth.
6.45 7.15 Make breakfast, assistance with eating, clean up dishes.
7.15 -7.45 Assist with toileting, make lunch, take medications
8.00 Wait and
assist with Metro Mobility (if necessary) Shift done after client leaving for
Adult day care, assist client to get on bus .
Here is a sample of a weekly schedule Monday Daily task pool therapy Tuesday
Daily task, ironing, clean bathroom Wednesday Daily task, clean kitchen and
refrigerator Thursday Daily task, and pool therapy Friday Daily task, clean
bedroom and living room Saturday Daily task, laundry and clean medical equipment
Sunday Daily task, grocery shopping and errands Here are some hints for PCA task
scheduling: Try to schedule things that can be done in the same block of time.
For instance, the PSA can start laundry when he/she arrives, help you with your
morning cares, put laundry in the dryer, get meals ready and clean the kitchen
and put the laundry away just before leaving. This way you will use the hours
you have most efficiently Figure out the PCAs strengths and what they do well.
For instance, some PCAs may be better at cooking meals and some are better at
helping with baths or showers
Communicating with the PCA(S)
Clear communication is the most important thing about supervising PCA(s). Be
clear about what you need when giving directions. Encourage the PCA(s) to ask
questions if they do not understand something. Do not assume they know what you
want. Be consistent in your communication. The more consistent you are in your
decisions and requests, the better the PCA(s) will meet your needs. Your PCA(s)
may prefer to do things one way and you prefer another. The choice is yours and
the PCA(s) need to follow your directions
Here are some tips that may help both of you communicate more effectively:
●Explain any technical words or terms you use. Even an experienced PCA may
not know the terms you use. Understanding terms helps the PCA(s) better
understand your disability and meet your needs
●Be clear about your expectations. For example, if your PCA leaves dishes in
the sink and you want them put in the dishwasher, you need to tell your PCA to
do this instead of getting angry when the dishes are in the sink
●Be pleasant, patient and fair. Even thought you get to make decisions about
your care and schedule, sometimes you may need to compromise with your PCAs so
they can also meet their needs. For example, they may have children, which could
prevent them from having a flexible schedule.
●Avoid gossiping about other PCAs. Also, do not criticize another PCAs work
but instead address issues directly with PCAs
●Treat your PCA the way you would like to be treated
PCA(s) who quit often say they are leaving because of poor communication with
their client. Evaluations can give you and your PCAs the opportunity to talk
openly with each other about things that might be frustrating. Over time, small
irritations, hurt feelings and misunderstandings can build up and destroy what
could have been a good working relationship. Give feedback on a daily basis on
which tasks are being done well and which tasks need improvement If there is a
serious conflict between you and your PCA(s), you may decide to call the
staffing coordinator at the Caring Hands United, Inc. to try to resolve the
situation rather than fire the PCA. Talking openly can clear the air. Here are
some suggestions on how to approach the conversation:
Resolving Conflicts
If there is serious conflict between you and your PSA you need to notify the
staffing coordinator or supervisory nurse and maybe this conflict can be
resolved rather than firing the PSA. Talking openly can clear the air. Here are
some suggestions on how to approach the conversation:
1.Set aside time when both of you are not rushed.
2. Give full attention to the PSA
3. Describe the PSA actions, not the person
4. Define the conflict as a mutual problem that you want to solve. This is
not a contest in which one person wins and the other loses.
5. Talk about the problem in specific terms. Give examples . Do not accuse
6. Describe your feelings and reactions.
7. Describe how you might have contributed to the problem.
8. Let your PSA go through these steps.
It is important that neither of you feel accused of doing something wrong. If
you can work through the problem together, it can make a stronger and better
working relationship. |
CARING HANDS UNITED, INC. FREQUENTLY
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