INDIVIDUALS WITH IDD IN NURSING FACILITIES
An individual with IDD typically does not fit the mold of someone admitted to a nursing facility, unless they are elderly, yet there are a number of these folks who live in the more than 30 Nursing Facilities in the Heart of Texas Region. For many of these individuals, a nursing facility is a more restrictive living environment than they need, but they got there because at some point in time a doctor or caregiver didn’t know where else to put them. To compound the problem, once there the staff do not know how to best serve them.
Beginning in 2013, the Department of Aging and Disabilities Services (now HHSC), as a result of a Federal Mandate and under the scrutiny of advocacy groups and a lawsuit settlement, developed a program of services and supports to people with IDD residing in nursing facilities. The support beam in these services is Service Coordination, provided through the LIDDA.
Before an individual is admitted to a nursing facility, a PASRR Level 1 evaluation is completed that may identify the individual as someone who has IDD. For these individuals, the LIDDA receives an alert to complete a PASRR Evaluation (Level 2) which, once completed, confirms either eligibility for IDD PASRR services or not. If eligibility is determined, the case is referred to the LIDDA Nursing Facility Service Coordination Unit. A Service Planning Team meeting is held, a service plan is developed, and PASRR services the individual is entitled to and wants or needs are coordinated and monitored.
It is the intent of HHSC and the LIDDA to divert people with IDD from nursing facility placement as much as possible. Should that not be possible, attempts are made to coordinate services such as Independent Living Skills training, Day Habilitation, Behavior Support, and others in an effort to strengthen the skills a person needs to eventually transition from the nursing facility to a less restrictive residential setting in the community. At the same time, the Service Coordinator serves as the primary advocate for these individuals, helping to assure that they receive the medical and professional services from the nursing facility that they are entitled to.
For complete information about the PASRR program, click on this link: