Meeting the changing needs of older Coloradans
As the Single Entry Point, RMHS offers a tailored approach to meet the needs of each person seeking long term services and support.
Adele Overstreet, like many older Americans, has health issues that necessitate extra support to help her to continue to live in her own home. The 85-year-old relies on a personal caregiver to help her with everyday tasks. These critical services support her independence and are possible through the RMHS Single Entry Point program.
As the Single Entry Point, RMHS provides a one-stop opportunity for long term care including screenings, assessments, referrals and case management for a variety of Home and Community Based Services waiver populations including people like Ms. Overstreet who access the Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services Waiver for persons who are Elderly, Blind, or Disabled (EBD).
The EBD waiver provides essential services that support daily living tasks and everyday chores that people like Adele Overstreet can no longer do for themselves.
“The set of services that people receive from these Medicaid waivers keep them living independently or with their family. It supports them to remain in their home in the community,” said Melissa Emery Associate Director of the SEP program at RMHS.
Annually, the program serves more than 11,000 people living in Adams, Arapahoe, Denver, Douglas and Elbert counties. In addition to the EBD Waiver, RMHS supports people to access and receive long term services and supports through five other Medicaid Waivers, one Medicaid program and a state-funded cash assistance program.
Children With Life Limiting Illness Waiver
Community Mental Health Supports Waiver
Brain Injury Waiver
Spinal Cord Injury Waiver
Children's Home and Community-Based Services Waiver
Program of All-Inclusive Care For The Elderly
Homecare Allowance Program
When people get started with the program, they receive assessments and options counselling to identify their needs and determine the best services and supports for each person. RMHS staff work with everyone to create a person-centered support plan to address the services they need then connect them to necessary service providers and resources. This person-centered approach allows the SEP team to work with each person to address and support their specific concerns.
“There are just certain things I can’t do any more,” said Ms. Overstreet. “One day I tried to do my laundry by myself and my body wouldn’t let me.”
Ms. Overstreet has a variety of disabilities and health issues. She wasn’t receiving services until she began having issues with her heart. In 2017, Ms. Overstreet was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, which is a fluttery heartbeat and requires constant oxygen to assist in breathing. Since then, Ms. Overstreet has struggled to stand for too long, which makes everyday chores around her home difficult.
Ms. Overstreet receives care from a personal caregiver five days a week. That caregiver assists her with grocery shopping, home cleaning and upkeep. Ms. Overstreet says it has been important to find someone who is a good personal fit. Her RMHS care manager, Amy Dearmore, connected her to a personal caregiver from Amber Personal Care.
“The unique aspect of the SEP program is that we can do a reassessment of people’s needs to get them the services they need at any point,” Ms. Emery said.
Sometimes circumstances change, and people need more or fewer services or supports. The SEP program can help adjust support levels or transfer people to a high level of care, such as an assisted living setting.
This approach and attention to every detail, ensures the SEP team can meet the changing needs of people in need of long term services and support. To learn more about the SEP program visit www.rmhumanservices.org/sep.
