Case Histories of Six Consumers and Their Families in Cash and Counseling

February 01 - 2007

Case Histories of Six Consumers and Their Families in Cash and Counseling

Patricia M. San Antonio, Lori Simon-Rusinowitz, Dawn
Loughlin, J. Kevin Eckert, and Kevin J. Mahoney

Objective. To examine how the lives of consumers and their caregivers were affected
by making choices and controlling their own resources with the cash option, this paper
focuses on six case studies from the Cash and Counseling Demonstration Program.
Data Sources. Twenty-one consumers, caregivers, and state consultants were interviewed
about their experiences in the program.

Study Design. The data come from a larger study of over 200 interviews conducted
from June 2000 to August 2004. Interview data were analyzed for themes about caregiving
and program satisfaction.

Principal Findings. Cash and Counseling benefited consumers and caregivers by
allowing consumers increased continuity and reliability of care, increased ability to set
hours of care,more satisfaction with howcaregiving is offered andmore satisfactionwith
the quality of care.

Conclusions. The cash option allowed consumers to create, schedule, and manage
their own model of care. Some consumers faced challenges in the program with paperwork,
accounting, worries about receiving care, and some ineffective state consultants
who could have been more helpful.

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