Remaining at Home...Priceless

Judie Lee, Director North Dakota Interagency Program for Assistive Technology

It is widely recognized that people with long-term illnesses and/or disabilities who wish to remain living at home need various types of support. Providers and users of assistive technology (AT) consider AT one of these essential support services and yet realize it is not widely recognized. Thus, the potential impact of AT devices and services goes unrecognized. In 2003, an opportunity to partner in a project funded by Olmstead dollars presented itself to the North Dakota Interagency Program for Assistive Technology (IPAT), North Dakota’s AT Act Program. IPAT’s role was to ensure a systematic exploration and delivery of AT devices and services for North Dakota state residents who were at risk of moving to an institution and/or those living in institutions wishing to move to a less restrictive environment.

It was a unique opportunity. Not only would individuals receive an AT assessment, they would receive the devices if the cost was within a specified dollar amount. In addition, they would receive the AT services necessary to use the device, such as equipment set-up and training. Twenty North Dakota residents participated in the program. These individuals represented 10 communities, ranged in age from their mid-thirties to mid-eighties, and had a variety of AT needs. They all had a number of services in place, but were still struggling to remain at home. The provision of AT devices and services had not been considered as part of their service plan prior to this project, and yet it was one of the decisive factors in making remaining home possible for them.

Over a year later, 17 of 20 people served are still in their own homes. They have delayed, and will possibly avoid, entering an institutional setting. They continue to live with their families, are more independent, and safe as a result of the AT devices and services received through this project. One individual moved away from North Dakota. Two of the individuals passed away approximately one year after receiving their AT devices and services. Their family members stressed what a difference the assistive technology made, especially in helping them to stay home the last months of their lives.

The average cost for participants to receive the assistive technology devices and services necessary to help them remain living at home through this project was $1,233. The average yearly cost for an individual to reside in a nursing home in North Dakota is $43,815 and $19,726 for assisted living care. The outcome report titled “Remaining at Home…Priceless,” gives more details and some anecdotal accounts of the participants. A free copy is available by calling (800) 265-4728. This project demonstrated that when the assistive technology provision is part of the service delivery plan, it can delay or eliminate institutional or other high-cost replacements. This in turn, enables people of all ages with disabilities or long-term illnesses to have a choice as to where they live, which everyone can agree is PRICELESS.

This article is reprinted with permission of the author. Thanks, Judie!