, they often desperately need someone to coordinate their varied needs. Thus, the efforts of a case manager are highly indicated.
Community Care Program for the Elderly and Disabled (CCPED)
CCPED provides home and community-based services for Medicaid-eligible persons who are 65 years of age or older, or persons of any age who are disabled. In addition to traditional home health care services, medical day care, medical transportation, respite care and social adult day care are available. Homemaker services are available 7 days. Hours are determined by a case manager (nurse or social worker) who completes an individualized care plan and budget for each client. Case managers are responsible for assessment of need, placement and monitoring of services, and advocacy for their clients.
Of course, many people are interested to know just how a "typical" case management situation involving a long-term patient might be conducted. Consider for example the Home Care Expansion Program (HCEP), located in Central Jersey. In the program:
case management services are provided for persons aged 65 or over who meet financial and other criteria established by the Department of Human Services. Services may include homemaker, visiting nurse, home health aide, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech pathology, respite services, social work and Medicaid transportation, according to the needs of each individual (VNACJ, 2004).
Further, in another program, known as the Community Care Program for the Elderly and Disabled...
Indeed, without it, the level and quality of care (and of life) for these patients is clearly diminished to a significant degree. Although it is undoubtedly expensive to provide case management services to individuals, one can only assume that the overall cost financially, as well as in societal problems would far outweigh any legitimate expense. In short, without quality case management, the long-term care of many patients would suffer to a great degree.
Bibliography
NNMC. National Naval Medical Center. (2004). "Case Management." Web site. Retrieved on October 14, 2004, from, http://www.bethesda.med.navy.mil/patient/patient_support_services/case_management.aspx
OCMO. Office of the Chief Medical Officer. (2004). "Case Management in the Military Health System." Web site. Retrieved on October 14, 2004, from, http://www.tricare.osd.mil/OCMO/case_management.cfm
VNACJ. Visiting Nurse Association of Central Jersey. (2004). "Case Management for Long-term Care." Retrieved on October 14, 2004, from, http://www.vnacj.org/commprograms/casemgmt.html
