Providing help and creating hope in Maine
Self-Directed assistance gives you the freedom to choose the services and supports you need to live independently in your own home.
When you’re self-directed, you hire the helper you want and decide the type of services you need. You are also able to determine the best schedule of help for you. Because you create a plan based on your challenges and strengths, you determine the supports that help you reach your unique independent living goals.
For more information, see our Toolkit: What is Self-Directed Help at Home?
Self-directed services differ from traditional services in several key actions: choosing helpers, determining the services, setting tasks, determining pay rates, training, and setting the schedule.
In the traditional option, Catholic Charities assigns someone to you, limiting your choice to those workers currently employed by us. Additionally, there can be a shortage of help in certain areas, so you may end up on a waiting list.
When you are self-directed, you have the freedom to choose the person who will assist you. Whether you choose a trusted neighbor, friend or loved one, you become their employer. Having someone you know and trust come into your own home and perform tasks that may be very personal can mean greater peace of mind of comfort.
With the freedom of choice comes the responsibility to make the decisions. Compared to the traditional, agency approach, self-direction requires you to be more involved in the decisions regarding your care.
Your role includes:
With self-direction, however, you define your needs and determine the services that will address your unique challenges and goals.
Clients in our traditional program have no say in their Home Helper’s pay — the agency sets the pay rate.
As a self-directed Client, you set your Home Helper’s pay rate. If you qualify for a waiver, Catholic Charities will reimburse you for $8 per hour. Then you are required to pay the $5 co-pay per hour. However, you can decide to pay more, if you like.
In our traditional program, Catholic Charities trains the Home Helper. When you are self-directing your helper, you can either train your Home Helpers yourself or arrange training based on your specific needs.
With the traditional approach, Catholic Charities would have more control of a Home Helper’s schedule. With self-direction, you set your Home Helper’s schedule based on your unique needs. You decide when you need assistance.
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