Think Spot: Person-centered vs. System-centered Planning

Betty is an 83-year-old woman who has always valued her independence. In recent months she has experienced some difficulty with certain household tasks. Most notably, taking her garbage and recycling containers to and from the curb. Her family is concerned and worried that this will create health and sanitation issues that could jeopardize Betty’s independence. Betty cannot afford ongoing in-home care and does not need that level of care on a daily basis. Her family cannot commit to coming over each week to help with her trash and also help with the other things Betty may need. 

After calling around, Betty’s case manager learned that her city offers a service where people who are unable to set out or bring in garbage or recycling containers can apply for a service that will allow Betty to place the containers in an alternate location or allow the collection crew to come on her property to retrieve the cans. This is a free service from her city and requires a doctor’s note. Betty’s niece helped her apply for the service and she was accepted. 

Betty and her family can now focus on other things that Betty enjoys doing and not worry that she will lose her housing or spend money on getting her trash to the curb. 

Looking for resources outside of what may be offered in a specific service system is an important part of person-centered planning and thinking. Betty and her team did not give up. They did some research and found a way to overcome a barrier so that Betty could continue living where she had lived for many years.