Making an Impact: Case Manager Secures Additional PCA Hours During Client’s Recovery
In the Making an Impact series, clients and services are featured to expand awareness of the wide array of help available at JFS and to ensure donors understand the lives they touch and the difference they make throughout the community. Names have been changed to protect privacy.
“Rhonda” was assessed over the phone during COVID while she was travelling with her daughter. She was forced to cut the trip short when she became ill and needed knee surgery, but her surgery was considered elective and postponed. Her JFS case manager stayed in close contact, knowing Rhonda would need additional support after the surgery.
Her knee was operated on after COVID vaccinations were available to everyone, but recovery in a transitional care unit remained restricted. Her JFS case manager was able to secure a 45 day increase for a personal care assistant (PCA) to help with bathing, toileting, walking and transferring, but only one hour each day was approved by her health insurance provider. The care manager and Rhonda’s daughter agreed this wasn’t enough time. Even though she enjoyed her time at the adult day center, but the service was cancelled to temporarily move those daily hours to PCA care. Rhonda really values her time at the adult day center. It gets her out of the house and allows her to connect with members of her community and socialize, critical to combat isolation and loneliness.
As the end of the 45-day increase neared, Rhonda developed an infection in her knee and required a second surgery. The case manager went back to her health insurance provider and requested a second 45-day PCA increase.
Through close client contact and advocacy, JFS was able to get Rhonda the additional support she needed to heal and return to the adult day center to connect and socialize with her friends.