Home health care for the mentally handicapped in Minnesota is not easily defined. Neither the state nor federal legislators are able to capture the depth of need for assistance. Although there are barriers to overcome, Minnesota's home health care supporters are committed to working on better laws, resources and finances to support those who are mentally handicapped.
History
Before the 1950s, people who were mentally handicapped were displaced from society--often tucked away in mental institutions. The turn of the 1950s proved positive for families of the mentally handicapped. People with mental disabilities began to move out of large mental institutions and back home with their families while receiving home health care. Recently, home health care in many states like Minnesota has improved providing more laws, programs, resources and services for the mentally handicapped and their families.
Legislation
Home health care for the mentally handicapped is expensive. Organizations, such as REM Minnesota, and family members of the mentally handicapped are bringing forth issues to their local and federal legislators to receive more financial resources. One of the programs that developed from their efforts was the Minnesota Long Term Care Partnership Program. It bridges the gap in financial need that may exist when trying to pay for home health care.
Services
Levels of independence vary for each person, but the goal to obtain some level of independence is set for all. Children and adults who are mentally handicapped struggle and lack life skills. Home health care providers, such as REM Minnesota, teach life skills such as cooking, taking medicine or even social skills like meeting new people and making friends. They are there to supervise, train and assist in the self-care of each mentally handicapped person.
Resources
Minnesota is poor in home health care providers that service people with mental disabilities. If you are in need of home health care assistance, organizations such as the MENTOR Network can connect you with providers that service the mentally handicapped, or they can give you information about local programs that can help. Another resource is the Minnesota Health Department. There you can find a directory for home health care providers and agencies that assist the mentally handicapped.
Costs
Home health care for the mentally handicapped in Minnesota can be pricey. If you have a family member who is severely mentally handicapped and needs around-the-clock assistance, you are going to spend much more than someone who needs assistance only half the day. Home health care services in Minnesota in October 2010 cost roughly $21 to $25 per hour, or $168 to $200 for an eight-hour day. However, there is financial assistance available--such as a Developmental Disabilities Waiver, Medicaid or private health insurance--that can help pay for the necessary services.
