ADRL Companionship Services 650-25-90

(Revised 4/1/22 ML #3665)

View Archives

 

 

Purpose

Reduces social isolation in older adults and individuals with physical disabilities who are not eligible for the home and community-based services waiver and are experiencing negative effects of social isolation. Companionship services reduce social isolation which can have a negative impact to physical and mental health that can lead to institutional placement.

 

Service Description

Non-medical care, supervision, and socialization provided to an eligible recipient is experiencing negative effects of social isolation (e.g. anxiety or depression). Companions may assist or supervise the participant with such tasks as meal preparation, laundry and shopping but this service does not replace Homemaker (HMK) tasks. The provision of companion services does not entail hands-on nursing care or medication administration. Providers may also perform light housekeeping tasks that are incidental to the care and supervision of the participant. This service must be provided in accordance with a therapeutic goal in the care plan and/or service authorization.

 

Socialization that is therapeutic is directly tied to the individual's goal(s) in the person-centered plan and/or service authorization. An example of therapeutic activity could be a game or activity that enhances fine motor skills to help the participant recover from a stroke.

 

Activities that support therapeutic socialization could also be associated with a goal to reduce social isolation, decrease depression, anxiety or help the individual maintain the most inclusive community life.

 

Service Eligibility, Criteria for

The individual receiving companionship services will meet the following criteria:

  1. Must be eligible and receiving:
  1. Older Americans Act (OAA) Services for example, home delivered or congregate meals, vulnerable adult protective services.
  2. Service Payments to the Elderly and Disabled (SPED).
  3. Expanded service Payments to the elderly and disabled (Ex-SPED).
  4. Medicaid State Plan Personal Care – Community.
  5. ADRL Grant - community transition services.
  1. Is experiencing negative effects of social isolation (e.g. anxiety or depression);

  2. Be at least age 18;

The care needs of the client must fall within the scope of companionship services as described in this service chapter.

 

Service Tasks/Activities

Allowable companionship tasks include but are not limited to supervision which means having the knowledge of, and account for, the activity and whereabouts of the recipient at all times to allow immediate provider intervention as necessary to safeguard the individual from harm.

 

During the time that the provider is providing companionship services to the recipient and is not actively providing services under SPED, Ex-SPED, Medicaid State Plan (MSP) personal care or homemaker tasks etc., they may play games, visit, read, go for walks, and participate in activities with the client. If the client is physically able, they may also participate in activities within the local community or trade area that supports an identified goal on the person-centered plan and/or service authorization.

 

Companionship services include assisting eligible individuals who are only requesting help with accessing shopping for example getting groceries or necessary supplies.

 

The following tasks are not considered allowable tasks under this service unless they are incidental to the companionship activity:

Bathing, dressing/undressing, feeding/eating, incontinence, mobility, toileting, transferring/turning/ positioning.

Communication, housework, laundry, meal preparation money management, and medication assistance.

 

Companionship services provided outside of the client's home

Payment can be made for time performing authorized companionship tasks outside of the client's home/grounds. The amount of hours authorized includes any time spent traveling to engage in activities in the community, shopping etc. Mileage is not reimbursed separately but is included in the rate.

 

Service Activity Limits

  1. Companionship services do not include hands-on nursing care or medication administration but may include verbal instruction or cueing;

  2. Companionship services do not include activity fees (e.g. movie or event fees);

  3. Companionship cannot be combined with adult foster care, adult residential care, transitional living, residential habilitation, community support services, and recipients of the senior companion program under the Cooperation for National and Community Service;

  4. Companionship services cannot be provided by an individual who is identified as the recipients relative within the definition of family home care under subsection 4 of N.D.C.C. 50-06.2-02;

  5. Companionship services cannot be provided to residents of a basic care facility.

  6. Companionship services are based on the amount of funds available at the time of the request.

For unusual or unique circumstances, approval from an Aging Services Program Administrator must be obtained.

 

Authorizing Service

  1. The service tasks/activities within the scope of this service chapter must be identified on the Authorization to Provide Service SFN 739.
  2. The amount of units allocated for companionship services cannot exceed 15 hours of service per month (60 units).
  3. The companionship provider may also be the personal care, homemaker provider etc. However, the services cannot be provided at the same time.
  4. Request for services will only be accepted from the OAA provider, VAPS investigator, Regional Aging Services Program Administrator, HCBS Case Manager, ADRL Transition Coordinator.
  5. Aging Services will not accept requests for services directly from individuals i.e. caregivers, family, individuals needing services.
  6. Request for service approval must be submitted via email at carechoice@nd.gov.
  7. Request for services may not exceed three months. Additional requests for services may be made after the initial three-month period.
  8. Aging Services may deny a request for additional services for consumers have been previously authorized services but have not used the services in the past.

 

Standards for Providers

  1. Individuals enrolled as a QSP who meet the standards to provide adult companion services except for individuals who are identified as a relative of the recipient within the definition of family home care under subsection 4 of N.D.C.C. 50-06.2-02.

  2. Agencies enrolled as a QSP that meet the standards for adult companion services.
  1. Employees of agencies enrolled to provide this service cannot use an employee who is identified as a relative of the recipient within the definition of family home care under subsection 4 of N.D.C.C. 50-06.2-02.
  1. Organizations enrolled as a QSP that provide companion service under the Corporation for National and Community Service Senior Companion Programs.
  1. Employees of organizations enrolled to provide this service cannot use an employee who is identified as a relative of the recipient within the definition of family home care under subsection 4 of N.D.C.C. 50-06.2-02.
  2. Organization providers must meet all the standards established by the Corporation for National and Community Service National and Community Service Senior Companion program grantees.
  1. Verification of organization credentials is done by the national corporation.

  2. Individual or Agencies enrolled to provide respite care under the ND Family Caregiver Support Program. These providers can only serve individuals who are receiving companionship services through the ADRL grant or via OAA Tittle IIIB funds.

 

All individual companionship providers and the employees of agency providers must also have the global endorsement for cognitive/supervision. Organization employees/ volunteers do not need this endorsement.