Kris' PCA Services

Suzanne is a 61-year-old female with advanced Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis and Osteoporosis. She was diagnosed in 1989 and her disability quickly processed, and in the early 2000s she became in need of assistance with many personal care activities. Suzanne was unable to use the toilet, shower, or get herself out of bed.

Suzanne’s Primary Care Physician (PCP) recommended PCA Services through Medicare and MassHealth. She also wrote orders for a hospital bed, a wheelchair, and a Hoyer Lift; basic in-home care supplies and support.

Early in her PCA Program, she worked with Options of Massachusetts. An RN would come to the home once a year to reevaluate Suzanne’s needs for PCA services, and this company processed new hire documents and payroll for PCAs Suzanne had on staff.

We realized the MassHealth PCA Program had a major downside, there was no assistance with day-to-day PCA management. The PCA Program is a “consumer-directed” program, meaning the disabled individual, often alongside a “surrogate,” is responsible for locating, screening, and hiring his or her own qualified PCAs as employees.

Many within the disabled and elderly community need assistance utilizing technology to facilitate their needs and wants. Management of multiple PCAs takes time and experience with technology, job boards, writing skills, applicant screening, interviewing skills, and scheduling.

Suzanne, nor her surrogate, possessed such skills… and no one was assigned to help. Luckily, Suzanne had a daughter, Kristen, who was able and willing to dedicate her time and expertise to become her self-titled, Personal Care Manager (PCM). Kristen managed her mother’s care, full-time, while earning a degree from Fisher College.