Connections to Community Living
Information for Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRCs)
Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRC) have expertise in
providing resource information to their community about long term
options available for all aspects of life related to aging or living
with a disability. The ADRC provides information on a broad range of
programs and services, to help people understand the various long term
care options available to them.
ADRCs are expected to provide outreach to nursing home residents,
providers, stakeholders and the community regarding opportunities for
community living. Information and assistance staff will meet in person
with nursing home residents and their families to ensure that
individuals living in nursing homes across the state are aware of
options to live in less restrictive community settings, as well as the
availability of services, which in turn may increase relocations and
reduce Medicaid expenditures. Topics covered during these meetings
include, but are not limited to, the following:
- The range of care settings and options available to meet the
person’s long term care needs;
- Financial implications of the various options;
- Ways to evaluate facility quality and appropriateness; and
- Publicly funded long term care programs which may be available
to help pay for the person’s care, and the eligibility requirements
and procedures.
As the “Local Contact Agency” (LCA), ADRCs will receive referrals
from nursing homes through the Program Participation System (PPS). These
referrals are prompted by the completion of the Minimum Data Set (MDS)
comprehensive assessment tool by the nursing home. The MDS is completed
upon admission and periodically thereafter to assess residents in
Medicare or Medicaid certified facilities. The MDS identifies potential
resident strengths, difficulties and preferences. When a resident
indicates they wish to talk to someone about returning to the community
through the MDS process, nursing home staff make a referral to the LCA
through the Referral Management Module within PPS.
Some counties have been identified as areas with large numbers of
Medicaid funded nursing home residents (PDF
46 KB). In those areas the state will assign
Community Living Specialists (CLS) to assist the ADRC with outreach and
information to nursing home residents and nursing homes staff.
Links to helpful resources:
PDF: The free Adobe Acrobat Reader software is
needed to view print portable document format (PDF) files. Learn
more.
Last Revised: April 11, 2013 |
