Waiver Changes for Parents

Changes made to better support the community

IT IS NO SURPRISE that this ever-changing environment is something we all need to stay informed about. This is certainly the case for caregivers of special needs individuals. Due to the nature of their vulnerability, caregivers must stay on top of changes being made to the resources that provide support needed for quality of life, at home and in the community. With that said, several big changes are happening at the state level for the service waivers. These changes are necessary for the integrity of the program to remain available for those in need, for years to come.

Due to the funding crunch and the necessity to conserve funds, the state feels forced to evaluate the requests submitted for services, much more closely and make the determination of necessity upon the guidelines of the provider manuals. We as caregivers need to respect this rule, but we also have an obligation to our special needs loved ones to be their voice and advocate for their individualized needs. In working together toward the collective ideal that person centered care is the best approach, sometimes we need to speak up to those in positions of authority. Rather than feeling intimidated by voicing concerns, think of it as standing up for a person’s rights in this country.

As a parent of a special needs young adult, I have adopted a mentality when speaking with the healthcare team for my daughter. Instead of feeling inferior when speaking with the physicians or other healthcare professionals, I empower myself with the mentality that they are the experts in medicine, and I am the expert on my child and her needs. The circle of person centered care is not complete when this balance is uneven. When the balance is in favor of the healthcare authorities, their decisions might be the best decision on paper, it might be unhelpful or limiting on a case by case basis. When the balance is in favor of the caregivers, there comes a great risk of not meeting the most appropriate medical needs for the individual to thrive. There is also the risk of financial burden or overload to either the individual or funding entity if every request from the caregiver is granted. I have found over the years that explaining the particular needs of my daughter are vital and welcomed by her team of professionals. A simple explanation about the daily life of my daughter is helpful in aligning point of views and empowering for my daughter, as she feels heard.

During this time of change and adjustment, empower yourself with knowledge and confidence for your special person. Remember, the State has an appeal process in place for caregivers to respectfully ask for further review of the decision that was made by them. This is the time to insert your expertise on your special person. Explain with scenarios or accounts of why your special person needs the services/equipment/funding, for them to be successful in their community.

The changes that are occurring with Indiana Medicaid Waivers is not to be feared; instead, lets view the changes as hope that the State is investing in keeping our vulnerable population safe at home for years to come.

Ruth Roberts at Specialized Home Care Services 621 N Central Ave Connersville, IN 47331 ruth@specialized4u.com (317)-348-0708 Mobile (317)-348-0708 Fax

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