Home and Community Based Care for the Elderly and Chronically Ill (HCBC-ECI)

4. Support individual choice and preference of services through person-centered planning: The RN uses the assessment instrument to identify each individual’s needs. Person-centered planning is subsequently facilitated by the case manager working with the individual. BEAS is including training about person-centered planning for staff and providers associated with the Program, including RNs, case managers, providers, and partners to ensure full and consistent understanding of this important concept.

5. Respond to demographic, participant preference and need, service availability and budgetary changes:

NH is experiencing an unprecedented growth in the aging population as a percentage of the overall state population. The availability of trained staff has not kept pace with this change in demographics, and we are looking for new ways to ensure service delivery for participants. The New Hampshire Office of Energy and Planning updated its projections in November, 2006, that are based on the 2000 U.S. Census. In its most recent report, this Office stated: “In 2000, 12% of NH’s population was 65 or older. The projections show this proportion may be about 14% in 2010 and about 28% in 2030.” Providers have reported to BEAS that it is difficult to hire an adequate supply of staff who have caregiving training and experience. This makes it more important to develop new supports, such as personal care workers who are not licensed, to serve the ECI population

6. Ensure that covered services are consistently of a high quality and are provided by qualified providers. The Quality Management Strategy (Appendix H) describes our plans to evaluate providers that participate in the HCBC-ECI Program.

7. Increase the ability of individuals to direct their care: BEAS anticipates that an increasing percentage of Program participants will want to direct their own care and services during this waiver cycle, and is working with stakeholders to further develop opportunities to self-direct.

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