Your Life, Your Choice
March 2006
Most people value personal choice. Choice goes hand-in-hand with freedom and independence. We prefer to live independently in our own homes surrounded by family and friends - for as long as we can.
Often, we need some help doing so. Not too long ago, individuals who needed assistance with daily activities had no option but to burden relatives or move to a nursing home. Today PASSPORT, Pre-Admission Screening Services Providing Options and Resources Today, helps eligible older Ohioans get the care they need to stay in their homes.
PASSPORT, a Medicaid waiver program, provides in-home alternatives to nursing home care for low-income seniors. Folks considering nursing home placement are screened by a PASSPORT professional. A case manager then designs a personal care plan to meet their needs through the most appropriate mix of in-home services to supplement care provided by family members and friends.
PASSPORT participants must be age 60 or better and in need of care given in a nursing facility, such as assistance with bathing and toileting.
A PASSPORT home care consumer may receive a combination of needed services, including: adult day care, chore service, independent living assistance, home delivered meals, home medical equipment and supplies, personal care services, minor home modifications, counseling, nutrition consultation and medical transportation. In-home nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy are available through the state Medicaid plan.
All of these services are provided at significant savings to Ohio taxpayers. The average per-person cost of PASSPORT is $1,100 a month - one-fourth the cost of a nursing home.
Ohio's 2006 to 2007 fiscal year budget was a triumph for seniors and their families, providing them with more and better choices for long-term care. The budget supports the wishes of a growing majority of seniors who prefer care in a home - or community -based setting. However, demand for the PASSPORT Program currently outpaces funding for it. As a result, there is a waiting list in most areas for this service.
Senator John Carey (R - Wellston) was instrumental in helping some avoid waiting for PASSPORT services. The Home First Initiative allows seniors who are in a nursing facility to be assessed and given the opportunity to transition to in-home care. Since July 2005, about 500 seniors have been able to make that transition.
In addition to PASSPORT, the state offers the Choices Program, a consumer-directed model of in-home care that gives consumers the ability to hire and train their own workers and manage their own services. Currently the Choices Program is offered in central and southeastern Ohio.
Beginning in July, Ohio will also offer an assisted living waiver for 1,800 individuals during its first year. Participation will be limited to nursing facility residents and existing Medicaid waiver consumers. Assisted living offers independence and autonomy with care delivered in residential, home-like environments. The assisted living waiver will provide care such as assistance with bathing and keeping living spaces clean. The cost of room and board will be paid by the resident.
Ohioans believe in the importance of choice and the Aging Network strives to provide it. To learn more, contact your Area Agency on Aging at 1-866-243-5678.
Ohio Department of Aging