(NEW 7/1/07 ML #3088)
Personal care services assist an individual with activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), so that the individual is able to live at home. Personal care services are provided so as to assist the eligible individual with as many activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living as needed and as permitted in order to maintain independence and self-reliance to the greatest degree possible. Personal care services are appropriate when service activities are essential either on an intermittent or ongoing basis and the need for personal care services is expected to continue for an extended period of time in excess of 30 days.
Personal care services must be the primary need of the individual and are not intended to bring about improvement of an acute medical condition nor are they primarily intended to provide homemaker services to the individual. Personal care services are not appropriate for individuals whose needs fall within normal stages of development.
The individual should direct the care provided, if and when possible, and should be involved in training and monitoring the personal care service provider as much as possible and when appropriate.
Personal care services are generally provided in an individual’s residence, however, services may also be delivered in other settings, such as a place of employment, if providing personal care services assists the individual in remaining as independent as possible and avoiding institutionalization. Personal care services may not be provided to an individual who is in a hospital, nursing facility, intermediate care facility for the mentally retarded, or institution for mental disease.
The informal network, especially family members, should be explored as potential informal providers of care before formal care is provided under the provisions of this chapter. Care provided by the informal network should not be replaced by formal/paid care unless this is necessary for the individual to receive such care.