Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs) Not Considered in Determining Eligibility for Personal Care Services 535-05-60-20

(NEW 7/1/07 ML #3088)

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SHOPPING - This item considers the individual's ability to shop for groceries and other essentials assuming transportation or delivery is available. If the individual needs assistance or is unable to shop, the task may be approved. Consider ability to make shopping lists, to function within the store, to locate and select items, to reach and carry purchases, to handle shopping carts, to communicate with store clerks, and to put purchases away when determining the level of assistance needed.  Do not consider banking, posting mail, monetary exchanges, or availability of transportation to determine individual’s shopping abilities.

GET AROUND OUTSIDE - This item considers the individual's ability to move around outside, to walk or get around by some other means (i.e., wheelchair), and to do so without assistance. Consideration should be given to the ability to negotiate stairs, streets, porches, sidewalks, and entrances and exits of residence and destination. An individual who requires an escort to push a wheelchair, hold arm for stability or to assist in event of disorientation or who is completely unable to go outdoors due to physical or mental disability may be authorized for personal care tasks related to getting around.

MANAGEMENT OF MONEY - This item considers the individual's ability to handle money and pay bills. Consideration is given to the individual’s ability to plan, budget, write checks or money orders, and exchange currency and coins. Include the ability to count and to open and post mail. Do not consider insufficient funds. An individual who cannot write checks and pay bills without help, but makes day to day purchases and handles cash or who has a legal guardian or conservator or is unable to manage money may be considered for assistance with this task.
 

COMMUNICATION/TELEPHONE USE - This item considers the individual’s ability to use the telephone.  Include getting telephone numbers and placing calls independently. The individual must be able to reach and use the telephone, answer the telephone, dial, articulate and comprehend. If the individual uses special adaptive telephone equipment, consider the individual’s performance based on the ability to perform this activity with that equipment. If the individual has no telephone, ask about his/her ability to use a telephone elsewhere, such as at a neighbor's home. The use of an emergency response system devise may not be considered when determining telephone use.

Special equipment in common use includes:

• amplifiers for people with speech and hearing impairments
• enlarged dials or number stickers for the visually impaired
• modified telephones for those with hearing aids
• telephones hooked up to teletypewriters for those with speech  impairments
• signals (tone ringers, loud bells or lights) to indicate that the telephone is ringing
• speaker telephones and head sets for persons who cannot hold  receivers

The tasks of routine writing or reading also fall within the scope of the IADL of communication/telephone use because each is a basic and common means of communication. If the individual needs a routine regimen of assistance with routine writing or reading of correspondence, this functional impairment may be documented within the scope of the IADL of communication/telephone use.

Time associated with routine assistance with communication/telephone use should always be very minuscule (likely not lasting more than 1 or 2-15 minutes units) and occur not more than twice in any given month under most circumstances.

An individual who requires human assistance to perform the task or is unable to answer the telephone or dial the operator may be considered for personal care tasks related to communication.