If you have a family member that is in need of in-home care outside of the regular medical care provided by a doctor or physician, you may be eligible for CNA or IHSS services provided (and paid for) by the state of Colorado. Depending on your case, your family member’s needs, and your qualification for Health First Colorado Medicaid options, you can find the right options for providing the best care your family member may need. PASCO is here to help navigate.
What is IHSS?
IHSS stands for In-Home Support Services. It is a statewide program administered by the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (Colorado’s Medicaid Program.) Basically, it provides support for families to direct and manage the long-term care services they need to live in the home and community.
The IHSS program is available to individuals on a qualifying waiver obtained through Health First Colorado (Medicaid):
- Colorado State Enrollment- You must be enrolled in Colorado State Plan Medicaid
- Long-Term Care Eligibility (LTSS)- You must meet functional and financial criteria for Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS)
- Help with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)- You must need assistance activities of daily living such as:
- Bathing
- Dressing
- Mobility
- Eating
- Toileting
What services does IHSS Provide?
In-Home Support Services (IHSS) provides support to individuals with disabilities and chronic conditions so they can live safely and independently at home — often with the people who know them best. Services include homemaking tasks such as meal preparation, laundry, taking out the garbage, and light cleaning, as well as personal care and non-medical assistance like bathing, dressing, grooming, and feeding.
IHSS also covers Health Maintenance Activities (Skilled Care Tasks) to support health-related needs typically performed by a CNA, LPN, or RN. Thanks to a waiver of the Nurse Practice Act, family members can now be trained and authorized to provide these skilled services with the oversight of a home health agency.
IHSS is a Medicaid service delivery option that supplements traditional care. If your loved one’s health conditions justify additional support, IHSS may allow you to be paid to provide personal care, homemaker services, and skilled care — ensuring your family member receives the help they need from someone they trust.
Who Receives Care?
Individuals enrolled in Colorado’s Health First Colorado (Medicaid) program who need additional support with daily living activities due to a disability, chronic condition, functional limitations, or a spinal cord (or similar) injury.
This may include a family member who requires help with bathing, dressing, mobility, meals, or other non-medical care needs beyond what a doctor or physician typically provides. These services help them live safely and independently in their home and community.
What Care Services Are Provided?
IHSS is a client-directed care program. The client chooses their IHSS approved agency (like PASCO) and the agency will hire and train your loved one to provide the services your family needs. The agency will also provide all administrative functions, like authorizations, HR support, billing, and payroll, offer around the clock supports to clients, and agency nurses are regularly available for assistance and to conduct routine visits to confirm that the plan of care and environment remain appropriate.
Personal Care
Homemaking Services*
Health Maintenance
Any type of care to help the family member experiencing a disability to maintain a normal day-to-day life. Depending on the severity of need, homemaker services range from basic cooking and cleaning to regular in-home tasks (like laundry). Personal care services include things like help with bathing, changing and getting around the house. Health maintenance services include medication or medical device administration and usage or help using the bathroom.
Next Steps
If you’ve found yourself in the situation where you need assistance outside of regular medical care, contact PASCO today. We can help you navigate the complicated system to find the right type of program that you qualify for and then help you find the services you need to take care of your family in the best way possible.
Family CNA Program
If you are already providing a bulk of the medical and in-home care for your disabled or sick family member, becoming a CNA (Certified Nurse’s Assistant) might be the most beneficial solution for you and your individual situation. A CNA certification differs from the IHSS program because you will attend school, learn a fixed set of skilled tasks, and gain a transferable skill set and possible career path while caring for your loved one.
Who Receives Care?
As in IHSS, any person (family member or child) who needs extra assistance outside of regular medical care provided by doctor or physician and is on a Health First Colorado Medicaid could be eligible for CNA care. This can be someone who was born with or has an injury-related disability or someone with a long-term illness.
Who Provides Care?
You – after you become trained and certified in the state of Colorado as a CNA. When you become a CNA, you provide skilled care for your family member. You are most likely already providing these services as a basic part of living with and loving a person experiencing a disability or long-term illness. CNAs are employed by an agency (like PASCO) , even though they work within their own home and with their own family members.
What Care Services Are Provided?
CNAs focus on skilled services where a level of maximum assistance is required. like ambulation for individuals who may not be able to bear weight, modified texture diets or G-tube feeds, skin care needs with open wounds, toileting, use of durable medical equipment, or if the individual is unable to direct their own care.
Who Pays for the Care?
The employing agency (like PASCO) bills Health First Colorado (Medicaid) for the services rendered and pays the CNA an hourly rate as an employee of that agency. This is one way you can earn an income for provided care to your loved one with compassionate agency support and oversight.
Next Steps
If you are interested in becoming a CNA so you can be paid to take care of your family member, contact PASCO today. You will need to enroll in CNA school (which is reimbursed to you here at PASCO) and then pass a written and clinical exam. PASCO can help you find the right training program and help with exam materials. Upon certification, you can become an employee of PASCO so that you can be paid to take care of your family members.
CNA | IHSS | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Who Needs Care? | Child | ||
| Adult | |||
| Someone w/ a Disability | |||
| Someone w/ a Long-Term Illness | |||
| Who Provides the Care? | Me or another Family Member | ||
| Someone else or a team provided by PASCO | |||
| What Care Services are Provided? | Personal Care (Prompting or minimal assistance with activities of daily living) | ||
| Homemaker Services | |||
| Health Maintenance (Activities of daily living requiring skilled CNA or nursing level of care) | |||
| Who Pays for the Care Services? | Medicaid |
If you have a family member or child with a long-term illness or disability, contact PASCO today. We can help you identify what programs you qualify for so you can provide the best care for your loved ones.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do IHSS and CNA programs differ from long-term care facilities and nursing homes?
At PASCO, we understand that receiving care in the comfort of your own home is invaluable. Unlike long-term care facilities and nursing homes, our IHSS and CNA programs allow individuals with disabilities to receive care right where they feel most comfortable. IHSS focuses on homemaking, personal care, and health maintenance services, while our CNA program provides skilled care by licensed CNAs to support independent living within the community.
What types of services are provided under IHSS?
Through IHSS at PASCO, we offer a comprehensive range of services including homemaking tasks like meal preparation, laundry, and cleaning, alongside personal care services such as bathing, dressing, and grooming. Health maintenance services, including medication administration and bladder care, are also provided to help our clients maintain a normal day-to-day life at home.
Who provides the care under the IHSS program?
Here at PASCO, care under the IHSS program is provided by loved ones who are trained and supervised by our agency. This setup allows your loved ones to provide you with necessary support, all under the guidance of our licensed healthcare professionals to ensure the highest standards of quality and compliance.
Can I get paid for taking care of my family member through these programs?
Absolutely! At PASCO, both the IHSS and the Family CNA program offer compensation for caregivers. In the IHSS program, trusted loved ones can receive payment for providing homemaking and personal care services. In our Family CNA program, once you obtain healthcare certification, you will be paid to provide skilled care for your family member or loved one.
Are there any costs associated with becoming a CNA?
While there are initial costs for CNA training, PASCO reimburses these expenses. This support covers enrollment costs in CNA school and any fees for the necessary written and clinical exams to obtain your healthcare certification.
How do I start the process of enrolling in IHSS or the Family CNA program?
To get started, simply contact us at PASCO. Our dedicated team will assist you with navigating the eligibility criteria, finding the right training programs, and handling any required paperwork to ensure you meet all the necessary qualifications.
What support is available for individuals with disabilities outside of IHSS and CNA programs?
Beyond our IHSS and CNA programs, PASCO provides access to a variety of services and supports through Medicaid and other state programs. These services can include intellectual and developmental disability programs, therapies, and additional healthcare services aimed at enhancing quality of life.
Can children with disabilities qualify for these programs?
Yes, children with disabilities can qualify for IHSS and the Family CNA program at PASCO if they qualify. These programs are designed to support individuals of all ages who need help with activities of daily living due to a disability or chronic health condition.
What role do healthcare professionals play in these programs?
Our healthcare professionals and support staff, including agency nurses at PASCO, play a vital role in both IHSS and CNA programs. They ensure that care plans are adhered to, provide necessary training and supervision to caregivers, and make routine visits to maintain care quality.
What if my family member's needs change over time?
If your family member’s needs evolve, our team at PASCO is prepared to adjust your care plan accordingly. We reassess the types of services provided and the number of hours needed to ensure continuous, appropriate support.
