Care Management: Nursing Facility Clinically Eligible

Other Programs

• Care Management
• Protective Services
• Guardianship Services
• Money Management
• Service Coordination

While a majority of consumers that work with Ursuline Senior Services are capable of living on their own with a small level of support, there are those who, because of their physical or mental health issues, require a greater amount of assistance. These individuals, who are deemed eligible to live in a nursing facility by their doctors or the Area Agency on Aging nurse, are considered Nursing Facility Clinically Eligible (NFCE). A separate Options Program has been designed for these consumers, to provide them with the higher level of support they need.

Many people prefer to remain living in their home, despite the need for more assistance. Consumers in the NFCE program are able to receive in-home services such as personal care, home making, delivery of supplies like undergarments and nutritional supplements, and safety devices through coordination by their care managers. These services are generally provided at a cost to the consumer, which is determined by the consumer’s income on a sliding-fee basis. Care managers also help those that are financially eligible to enter programs through the Departments of Aging and Public Welfare, such as the Waiver Program, and Bridge Program. The care managers can provide consumers with information about those programs, and help them to complete the applications. Some consumers choose to enter community-based plans, such as Community Life, and care managers can start consumers on the path into these programs. The care manager performs all these action to help the consumer remain safely at home with solid supports, for as long as the consumer is able.

Other consumers may require more help than is available for them in their own home, and are ready for a move to assisted living, personal care or a nursing home. Care managers coordinate with placement consultants, who specialize in helping consumers and their families find the best possible new living arrangements. Once consumers move to a nursing facility, assisted living, or personal care home, their care managers monitor them for a short time to make sure the new home is a good fit. Despite their more complicated conditions, NFCE consumers can depend on their care managers from Ursuline Senior Services to obtain the extra help they need, whether in a facility or in their own homes, so that they can remain safe and comfortable.