Why choose in-home services?

Self-determination was first recognized in law nearly 30 years ago. Regardless of age or ability, you can choose how to receive, manage and pay for long-term services.

Giving individuals freedom to make care decisions has far-reaching positive impacts. In 1990, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation launched an 18-state pilot program, finding that individuals with long-term care needs or disabilities experienced better health outcomes with self-directed home or community-based care options. Moreover, one study showed self-direction generating cost savings of 12.4% to 15.5% compared to traditional service arrangements. Proven health benefits have spurred support for self-directed programs nationwide, as self-directing participants are up to 90% more likely to be very satisfied with how they lead their lives.

Is in-home care safe?

Over a fifth of the deaths from COVID-19 in the United States are tied to nursing homes or other long-term care facilities, with families becoming increasingly reluctant about their elderly loved ones going to nursing facilities. Home-based care can provide safe, stable and accessible services.

When conducted using precautions advised by health authorities, receiving support that allows you to remain in your home is safer because it limits exposure that may otherwise occur in nursing homes and long-term care facilities. Additionally, self-directed models have demonstrated little service disruption during state-mandated shutdowns while nursing homes and long-term care facilities are struggling to ensure adequate coverage.

Self-direction has also been shown to provide significant flexibility as individuals with disabilities can switch between agencydelivered and self-directed services at any time, while maintaining control of the budget to purchase personal protective equipment (PPE), a cellphone and an internet connection to facilitate telehealth.

Further, with self-direction, you control associations