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Moving to California

quadfatherc4
0 Recommendations

I am moving to California and about eight months or so and I would like to know about programs that will allow me maximum independence. Where I live I am able to employ my caregivers myself and only contract with home health agencies to handle billing. This gives me much more control over what duties I expect them to perform how much I want to pay them and other benefits. I've heard great things about California but the programs I have seen so far seem to be run-of-the-mill. What am I missing.

3 replies

FuschiaFan

Are you asking about Medicaid benefits and IHSS?

IHSS (in home supportive services program for PCA services) varies by county. In most counties, you don't deal with agencies, since in CA aides are not allowed to do catheterization, bowel care, etc. and agency rates are too high for the county programs (which pay $8.25/hour in my county). In my county, you find your own PCAs (ads, Craig's List, friends, family, etc.) and IHSS decides how many hours you will get after an in-home social worker evaluation. You must be in the state for at least 30 days to apply, and then it can be several more weeks until you get your evaluation. Your PCAs (who can do whatever you need as far as your care) are paid by the county based on time cards you turn in and sign. For someone who has tetraplegia but is not vent dependent, 4 hours daily is the norm. You are not allowed to supplement their pay, so the most difficult job is to find someone who will accept that salary (and no benefits). You can reimburse for travel or provide meals, which most people have to do (esp. with gas prices now days).

Of course housing in CA is also very expensive, and in most areas there are either waiting lists of years or they no longer are even adding to waiting lists for Section 8 housing.

If you are not on Medicaid and have private funds for hiring then you still will be better off hiring privately due to the restrictions the agencies place on what a HHA or CNA can do. Craig's List, ads at colleges, ads in the Pennysaver, and word of mouth through other PWD seems to be the best way to recruit. Going rates are $14-18/hour for a PCA this way.

You can find a lot about CA benefits here:
http://www.disabilitybenefits101.org/

ResourceCenterStaff

Hey,

You may want to get in touch with an Inpendent Living center near the area you will be living, they may be able to provide you with some helpful information as well.

CA ILC's:
http://www.cfilc.org/site/c.ghKRI0PDIoE/b.735475/k.3345/List_of_California_ Independent_Living_Centers.htm

Here is a link to general listing of caregiving resources.
http://www.makoa.org/caregiver.htm

All the best
201

Norm

Try http://www.newstarthc.com/

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