Berkshire Senior Online

By Lisa Lungo

Dorothy Keith moved to Berkshire County from Vermont more than 10 years ago to be closer to daughter Joanne. Dorothy received in-home services to help with her personal needs and homemaking. She also attended the Adult Day Health Program in North Adams five days a week. But even with these services, Joanne took on more and more care giving responsibilities as Dorothy's care needs increased. In particular, Joanne was having difficulty coordinating the timing of Dorothy’s services so she could be ready on time for her Adult Day Health Program. This was creating a great deal of stress for Joanne. Dorothy’s Case Manager from Elder Services suggested that she consider another option for services, the Personal Care Assistance Program.

Elder Services’ Personal Care Assistance (PCA) Program offers help to individuals eligible for Mass Health/Medicaid, who have permanent or chronic disabilities and need assistance with at least two activities of daily living, (ADL). These ADLs include mobility, bathing, dressing, passive range of motion exercises, eating, medication administration and toileting. The PCA Program allows individuals to directly manage their own care by hiring, training, scheduling and supervising their own personal care attendants.

According to Executive Director of Elder Services, Robert P. Dean, "We added this program to our menu of services to give Berkshire elders more choice in how they get the help they need to stay independent at home."

Dorothy was unable to hire, train, schedule and supervise her PCA attendants, but Joanne was willing to step in and assume the responsibility. PCA Coordinator, Bill Marsh worked with both Dorothy and Joanne to help identify possible candidates for Dorothy’s PCA attendants. He provided information on how to recruit, interview, schedule and supervise the PCA attendants. Marsh also has ongoing contact with Dorothy and Joanne to monitor services and help problem solve should the need arise. He stated, "When I first met Joanne, she needed a program for her mother that offered more flexibility. She was spending most of the time dealing with care giver issues. It is gratifying to visit them today and see how much more relaxed Joanne has become since her mother has the help she needs."

Dorothy currently has PCA attendants 48 hours per week, and she has been able to schedule them for the times of the day she needs them most. "I like living in my home. And I enjoy spending time with my daughter now. She always used to be so busy doing something for me," said Dorothy.

The Personal Care Assistance Program promotes autonomy and self-determination by giving elders and their families greater control to individualize their services, and to best meet their unique needs. In the case of Dorothy Keith and her daughter, it has also provided a sense of freedom and has improved the quality of time they spend together.

"At first I was apprehensive about becoming the employer", said Joanne Keith, but I soon realized the benefits. I am free to relax and enjoy my mother’s company. I don’t always have to be doing something for her. Now we can just sit and talk or watch TV. We haven’t been able to do that in years."

To find out more details or to make a referral for the Personal Care Assistance Program, call Elder Services of Berkshire County at 499-0524 or 1-800-544-5242.