State program seeks help with elderly care

The Department of Human Services’ Aging and Adult Services Division is seeking help in offering care to elderly residents in south Arkansas who aren’t ready for nursing homes.

The Adult Family Home program’s concept has been used in other states for several years but is new to Arkansas, a news release said.

The goal of the program is to help people stay out of nursing homes by offering a family-style living environment in homes that have been state-certified to help care for the elderly.

An Adult Family Home can serve up to three clients older than 65 who are functionally impaired, cannot live alone and are at imminent risk of death or serious injury.

Residents in such homes should receive help with personal care, medication reminders, supervision and transportation to appointments.

The establishment of Adult Family Homes under the Medicaid-funded Elder Choices Home and Community-Based Services Waiver program is part of a movement to offer Arkansas senior citizens more care options. Care is paid for by Medicaid, while room and board is paid for by clients or their families.

Providers must sign an occupancy agreement with the client that clearly describes the rights and responsibilities of clients and providers. For example, providers should help residents with bathing, grooming, preparing meals, eating, toileting, walking, transferring and many other tasks.

Providers’ certification process involves interviews, training, drug tests, criminal-record checks and home inspections, the news release said.

Those seeking more information can contact Ramona Sangalli with the Department of Human Services’ Aging and Adult Services Division at (501) 320-6579.