How many of us know of someone who is placed in a nursing facility simply because they need help such as bathing, cooking, and housekeeping? If you know of someone in that situation, ask yourself this - if they had a choice, would they rather live in the comfort of their own home or remain in the nursing facility? Now nursing facility residents that have the desire to live in the community have a choice, and it’s called the Nursing Facility Transition Services (NTFS) program.
The goal of NFTS is to provide seniors and people with disabilities an opportunity to consider community-based living as a viable alternative to nursing home residency. NFTS creates an alternative to institutional care for seniors and disabled persons in nursing home facilities. The program provides services and support in the most integrated community setting appropriate to an individual’ needs, such as their own home or an apartment. Nursing home residents who are able to live safely and independently are eligible for the program. The program also provides the necessary assistance in obtaining suitable housing, household goods, arranging necessary supportive services, transportation, and managing the consumers’ on-going care.
After an initial interview to assess the consumer’s eligibility for the program, NFTS workers will develop a person-centered plan, with input from the consumer, their family members and/or caregivers. After the consumer has been assessed and their necessary supports established, NFTS workers will assist the consumer in locating suitable living arrangements. Consumers can return to their home, or move in with family members and/or friends or choose alternate living arrangements.
Once the housing has been secured and the consumer has been moved into the setting with our help, support services are implemented based on the consumer’s needs and desires. These services may include long-term care options like MI Choice, a cost-effective, long-term care option for Medicaid eligible seniors and disabled adults. This program has allowed many people to stay in the comfort of their own homes while receiving home care services - similar to those provided by nursing facilities.
“This program is very empowering to the senior and the senior’s family”, said Paul Bridgewater, Executive Director of Detroit Area Agency on Aging. “Through each step of the transitional process out of the nursing facility and back into the community, the senior and the seniors’ family members are making the decisions regarding their case management. We are just there to provide support and assistance.”
Nursing Facility Transition Services are made possible by many collaborations and partnerships including the Michigan Department of Community Health, and the Detroit Housing Commission. In addition the following agencies assist us in facilitating nursing home transfers: Margaret L.M. Brown, P.L.C., Citizens for Better Care, Legal Aid and Defender Association, Inc., Adult Well-Being Services, and the Detroit-Wayne Center for Independent Living.
In order to participate in the NFTS program, the senior must currently reside in a nursing facility and want to move into Detroit Area Agency on Aging’s public service area, which includes Detroit, Highland Park, Harper Woods, Hamtramck and the five Grosse Pointes. For more information on the NFTS program, contact: Joyce E. Blair at 313-446-4444, ext. 5845.