Community-Wide End-of-Life/Palliative Care Initiative: Raising Awareness of Advance Care Directives

What would happen if you experienced a sudden illness or injury that prevented you from making your own medical decisions? How would you get the care you wanted? Who would make decisions about your medical care on your behalf?

Advance Care Planning is the on-going process of planning for your future medical care through open discussion and the use of Advance Care Directives. Advance Care Planning allows you to:

1. Choose a spokesperson to make decisions about your medical care in case you are unable to make decisions for yourself;
2. Document ahead of time which treatments you may or may not want.

Raising awareness of Advance Care Directives is only one of the many issues that deal with end-of-life care. The Community-Wide End-of-Life/Palliative Care Initiative, which consists of more than 150 members representing more than 40 organizations, has recognized the need for improved care for the members of our community facing end of life.

More information about Advance Care Planning, Hospice, Palliative Care, Pain Management, and the Community-Wide End-of-Life/Palliative Care Initiative can be found at Compassion and Support at the End of Life.

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Chronic Care Medicaid

Chronic Care Medicaid is a health care coverage for those who reside in a nursing home type setting. The intent of the program is to assist those aging and disabled residents who cannot afford to pay for their own medical care. Eligibility for the program is determined through a means test that reviews the income and resources of the individual and/or spouse applyinf for coverage. A five year review of all financial transactions is required.

Chronic Care Medicaid applications are availablein the Monroe County Department of Human Services waiting rooms located at 111 Westfall Road or 691 St. Paul Street. To request an application by phone, please call (585) 753-6960.

Learn more about Medicaid at the New York State Departmen of Health.

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Home Care Services Unit

The Home Care Services Unit (HCSU) is staffed primarily by Registered Nurses who are responsible for the broad oversight of health care services which allow clients to remain at home, thus preventing more costly nursing home placements. In general, these homecare servies may include home health aide or personal care service, personal emergency response system, and housekeeping.

The HCSU oversees the following programs:

• Anticipated Home Care Plans
• Assisted Living Program
• Care at Home
• Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program
• Personal Care Aide
• Personal Emergency Response System
• Title XX housekeeping and chore services.

HCSU Nurses do not perform hands on care. Instead, HCSU contracts with provider agencies that provide direct care. The only exception is the Consumer Directed Personal Care Program which allows the client to hire, train, supervise and fire his or her own personal care aide. Individuals must have active Medicaid coverage for HCSU programs.

Learn more at Medicaid at the New York State Department of Health.