Health, Welfare and Safety

1. Health, Welfare and Safety General Overview

2. Overview • Definition • Program Responsibility • Case Manager Responsibility • Emergency Plan • Contingency Plan • Priority and Risk System • Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation

3. Risk Definition • Risk is defined as the potential for realization of unwanted, adverse consequences to human liked, health, property or the environment. (Oxford English Dictionary).

4. Identification of Risk • The process of case management ensures: • An Assessment begins the process to identify risk, • Consumers are educated on healthy lifestyles, • Health related concerns are addressed, • Consumer rights are protected • Consumers are given provider choice • Person-Centered Care Planning • Barriers are identified and addressed • Consumers who refuse case management are managed through another utilization/service program

5. Program Responsibility • Case Management to assist individuals to gain access to needed: • Medical • Social • Educational • Other Services • To assist the consumer to identify strengths, barriers, potential risks • To provide Education, Advocacy and Empowerment • To Follow-up on identified issues and concerns • To Monitor issues related to consumer health, welfare and safety • To report to appropriate organizations unresolved issues or concerns to ensure health, welfare and/or safety

6. Case Manager Responsibility • Educate Consumers on their rights including: • Hearing and Appeals • Program Specifics • Participant Rights and Responsibilities • Complete a comprehensive assessment • Openly discuss identified strengths, barriers and potential risk with consumer and support system • Develop a person-centered care plan • Develop a list of barriers and potential risks to follow-up on during subsequent contacts • Assess for signs of Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation • Partner with the consumer to manage identified needs

7. Emergency Plan • Two levels of Emergency Plan • Organizational Emergency Plan in case of a disaster to ensure protection of our program consumers • Consumer Emergency Plan to ensure care needs are addressed at all times in accordance with their priority/risk score

8. Contingency Plan • Back up Plans for formal and informal supports • Caregivers should have a contingency plan in the event a caregiver is unable to provide support and services • Agencies need to have a contingency plan to ensure consumer receives scheduled services • HHS need to have a contingency plan to ensure timely follow-up, access to services etc. • The HHS New Participant Handbook also addresses Contingency Planning

9. Priority and Risk System • Priority 1 • If service is not delivered as authorized and planned the client’s health and welfare would be at immediate risk • HHS will communicate to the provider the authorized service, day, specific time and specific tasks. • Priority 1 participants must have an emergency plan in place and the provider must have a written contingency plan for staff call offs and for holiday coverage. (When the individual receives daily services this includes holidays even if family is taking on care responsibility) • Priority 2 • If service is not delivered as planned and authorized the individual would be at a higher risk for health, welfare and safety issues • HHS will communicate to the provider the authorized service, day, and either the specific time or specific tasks • Participant and caregiver coordination is required by the provider to work out specific times or tasks as outlined in the authorization. • HHS will follow-up with consumer and/or provider to determine what the agreed times or service are to complete the care plan and service authorization. • Priority 2 participants must have an emergency plan in place and the provider must have a written contingency plan for staff call offs and for holiday coverage.

10. Priority and Risk System • Priority 3 • If the service is not delivered as authorized or planned the individual would be at some risk. • HHS provides the provider with at least one component of the service schedule: Day, time or specific tasks • To complete the person-centered plan HHS needs to follow-up with consumer/provider to be able to document all components including day, time and/or specific tasks to be completed.

11. Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation • Abuse includes physical, sexual, verbal and psychological • Neglect includes unsafe living arrangements and basic needs not being met. • Basic needs include medical care, physical and emotional needs • Exploitation for the elderly population is primarily related to financial loss

12. Abuse, Neglect & Exploitation • Need to look for signs of Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation during contacts • Need to evaluate caregiver stress • Need to assess for use or mention of restraints by caregivers as this is not an acceptable practice • The agency is responsible for notifying Adult Protective Services, Calling 911 if the conditions are unsafe knowing Adult Protective Services is not an immediate response • Looking for a great training tool go to http://www.helpguide.org/mental/elder_abuse_physical_emotional_sexual_neglect.htm