Results of the Maine Experience Survey: Adults with Physical Disabilites Consumer Directed Waiver

As a part of the grant activities of the Real Choice Systems Change grant from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid (CMS), the need for a survey of consumers on the Consumer Directed Physically Disabled Waiver (also called the Consumer Directed or CD Waiver) was identified. This report provides the results of the in-home survey that was conducted by the Muskie School. The CD Waiver serves people age eighteen and older with severe physical disabilities that meet nursing facility level of care, are their own guardian and have the ability and desire to self-direct the personal care services they receive in their home. The waiver is an alternative option to institutional care and consumers choosing community-based care are informed of the risks and limits to the care available in the community benefit. Unlike nursing facilities, twenty-four hour a day care is not available within the program limits. The results of the survey identified some areas of focus and opportunities for increased training. The Maine Department of Health and Human Services now requires the service provider to include as part of the skills training process with the consumer: (a) the need to formulate an emergency