ALTERNATIVES is a Medicaid waiver program that was designed specifically to enable physically disabled adults, ages 21 to 64, to direct their in-home care or receive in-home care through the traditional agency model.  Through the ALTERNATIVES program, assistance is made available by allowing Medicaid reimbursement for certain in-home and community-based services that Medicaid normally does not cover.

ALTERNATIVES is an option when a physically disabled adult is at risk of nursing home placement.

ALTERNATIVES, as an option, provides an opportunity to return home when a physically disabled adult is residing in a nursing home.

ALTERNATIVES can enable a physically disabled adult to supervise their own attendant or obtain the services of an attendant through a traditional agency model.

Qualifications

Be age 21 to 64.

Be declared “Physically Disabled” by Social Security/SSI or DHHS Medical Review Team.

Meet established financial criteria.

Meet nursing  home admission criteria at the intermediate level.

Have a medical need and receive one or more waiver services.

Attendant  Care

Attendant care is for the physically disabled adult to provide assistance to accomplish the tasks of daily living based on their individual needs and as approved by a physician.  Based on need, the client may receive up to 8 hours a day, 7 days a week, of Attendant Care.  Although the Attendant may be a family member, the attendant may NOT be a spouse or other legally responsible person.

Case Management/Counseling

Counseling Support Mangers provide clients in the ALTERNATIVES program an orientation to the concept of consumer-direction of care and equip them with the skills training on how to recruit, interview, hire, evaluate, supervise, manage, or dismiss attendants.

Counseling Support Managers provide all clients supportive counseling, on-going assessment and monitoring of their needs, and guidance or information about how to access needed services.

Adaptive Equipment and Environmental Accessibility Adaptations

Adaptive equipment and modifications to the environment that increases the independence of clients or increases accessibility to the client.

The ALTERNATIVES Counselor or Nurse will:

Complete an evaluation that will be the basis for determining medical eligibility.

Develop a plan of care based on the needs and wishes of the client.

Assist in enrolling providers of client’s choice.

Complete an annual reassessment of needs.

Monitor in-home services.

If you would like more information on the Alternatives program please call the Area Agency on Aging of Northwest Arkansas at 800-432-9721.