What Is A PCA?
July 22, 2016
In healthcare, a lot of acronyms are used and it can sometimes get confusing. One of those acronyms, PCA, can truly help you and your family member stay in their own home!
What Is A PCA?
PCA stands for personal care assistant. A PCA is someone who helps people with day-to-day activities in their home and around their community. It can range from helping with personal care, or with homemaking and errand type activities.
The people a personal care assistant helps can range from people living with physical or mental disabilities or simply those who are elderly and unable to do certain tasks by themselves anymore.
What Can A PCA Do For My Family?
“I love my children dearly, but with their diagnosis, they are taxing to be with 24 hours a day. Arise made sure we had the right PCA’s . . . and I now get the break I need so I can be refreshed and be a healthier parent.” – Laura, mother of PCA clients
Some of the services a personal care assistant can provide include:
- Bathing, grooming and washing
- Bowel and bladder care
- Dressing and undressing
- Exercise and ambulation
- Skin care
- Meal preparation and feeding
- Laundry and light housekeeping
- Range of motion exercises
- Medication reminders
- Transfers
- Assistance with activities of daily living
PCA Care Options
Waiver Services
One option to receive PCA services is through waiver services.
Waiver services allow a personal care assistant to provide homemaking, chore and respite care to an individual.
Waiver services are made available through your local county social services agency. The person who is to be cared for needs to be eligible for medical assistance to be eligible for waiver services.
Alternative Care Program
Another option to receive PCA care is through an alternative care program.
An alternative care program allows a personal care assistant to provide services similar to waiver services.
An alternative care program is made available through your local county social services agency. The person who is to be cared for needs to meet income and asset guidelines.
To learn more about what a personal care assistant can do in your particular situation, contact us at Arise Cares today!