1. Independent Living, Inc. Baltimore, MD
Making Choices for
Independent Living, Inc.
Baltimore, MD
Frank Pinter, Executive Director

2. Lessons from Experience
Transitioning Non Elderly People with Disabilities from the
Nursing Home to the Community

3. A. Identifying consumers appropriate for transitioning

4. In our experience, there are two people in nursing homes to ask about a person returning to the community:
1. Social Worker
2. Consumer

5. 1. Social Worker
Pros -
May know the resident(s) who want to leave
May be able to coordinate transitioning services from nursing home end
May be knowledgeable of family and can intercede on consumer’s behalf

6. Social Worker - cont’d
Cons -
Position turns over a lot and new person may not be aware of community resources
May identify only the “problem” residents as those wanting/able to leave
May try to compromise “model” residents’ attempts to leave

7. Who better to ask!? 2. Consumer
Consumer most often knows exactly what services and how much of each they require and can tell a care provider how they want it done.

8. B. Barriers to a person transitioning to the community

9. 1. Fear of the unknown
2. Learned helplessness, hopelessness fostered by nursing home
3. Attitude of nursing home
loss of income
unawareness of community resources
They’re handicapped! They belong here!”

10. 4. Community Resources -
what already exists/what doesn’t
varies with jurisdiction
urban vs rural
differing services for differing disabilities

11. 5. Family support -
May not want responsibility
May feel inadequate
May lack knowledge of community resources
6. Consumer credit history & personal background (convictions, legal judgements)

12. C. Considerations related to
Transitioning

13. 1. Having a subsidy vs a subsidized unit
2. Finding affordable & accessible housing
3. SSI/SSDI check for 1-2 months (until account is transferred)
4. Security deposit at FMV & 1st month’s rent

14. 5. Utilities deposit & 1st month’s
bill
6. Telephone deposit & 1st month’s
7. Telephone
8. Furniture
9. Food

15. 10. Household items
11. DMS/DME
12. Personal care services
13. Medications
14. Medical Assistance/Medicare
15. Food stamps

16. D. Follow up
Case Management vs living independently
I’m not a case. I’m a person.
In case I need you, I’ll call.
(How many case managers are already involved in this person’s life?)

17. Independent living is not doing everything by yourself
Independent living is not doing everything by yourself. Rather, it is being in control of how things are done.
Judy Heumann