Application Activity – Meet Margaret
Margaret is now 100 years old and lives in a one-bedroom apartment in subsidized housing in Lexington. Even with her age, she is still living in her own apartment.
Margaret’s daughter Marie, who was 75, had been providing assistance for Margaret but has unexpectedly passed away from a heart attack.
Guardian’s Involvement
Adult Protective Services (APS) was called after a welfare check was done by the apartment manager. Margaret was found to have almost no food, was confused as most likely dehydrated, and running out of medication. APS petitioned the court for a guardian to be appointed. APS also applied for the Home & Community Based Waiver for Margaret and assisted her to receive services from a local home health agency.
Important To and Important For
Using the Important to and Important For template, complete the form for Margaret indicating what is important to and important for Margaret.
As you complete the form remember it is important to include what a person is communicating through their words and behaviors. If there is a conflict, you should listen to the behavior.
Important for includes things that need to be kept in mind regarding issues of health or safety, and what others see as important to help the person be a valued community member. It is important to get to know the person and to understand not only what is important for the person, i.e. medications and diet, but also what is important to the person. When we support what is important for the person within what is important for them, there will be collaboration.
For example, if a person who loves bacon was told they could never eat it again, what are the chances of compliance? Not great. Think about totally giving up something important to you. Negotiations would probably take place so you can enjoy at least a little bit of something important. Take a moment and walk-in their shoes.
Back to Margaret
The team developed a list of what is important to and important for Margaret to organize both paid and unpaid supports in her life.
What’s Important to Margaret?
- To remain in her own subsidized apartment which is all on one floor and not in a nursing home
- To prepare her own meals with assistance
- To keep her cat, Odyssey
- To watch particular news programs and tv shows
- Attend church on Sunday
What’s Important for Margaret
- To have assistance with bathing and dressing
- To have assistance with shopping and preparing her own meals
- To reduce fall risks
- To take her medications in the correct dosing and at the correct time
- Be able to take naps
- Have the pillows arranged in a certain fashion when she sleeps to avoid pain
Matching Staff
Another important Person-Centered Thinking Tool for Margaret will be to think about a good staff match. Think of the impact on your behavior if you were to go home to a person living in your home who does not know you, your preferences, likes, and dislikes. It is important to do the best job we can to make a “good fit” between paid staff and individuals. This can make a huge difference in people’s sense of safety and prevent crises. Information about this Person-Centered Planning Tool and many other resources can be found on the Support Development Associates website.