Money Follows the Person program implementation continues at a slow pace across the nation

Money Follows the Person, launched as a federal initiative in 2007 as a program to assist people with disabilities and the elderly to move out of institutions and into the community, is moving at a "glacial pace," according to an article by Kaiser Health News and The SCAN Foundation. The article states that 900,000 people who meet the eligibility requirements for the program continue to live in institutions and some states are much slower to implement the program than others. Ohio received approval for its Money Follows the Person program, called Ohio HOME Choice, in June 2008 and is one of the states that is reported to have helped thousands find homes in the communities.

The report provides insights into how people with disabilities have benefited from the program, and some of the challenges they have faced. While the majority praised the program, they emphasized the need for more life-skills training in areas such as personal hygiene, menu planning and hiring caregivers. Many commented that transitioning from a nursing home where everything is on a schedule to being in complete control of your daily schedule is a major transition and they would benefit from more support in this area.

Read the article: States Encounter Obstacles Moving Elderly And Disabled Into Community