Managing Crisis in Participants
At Palco, supporting our clients in their self-direction responsibilities can be stressful for them. In self-direction, the person receiving the services has a choice and control over the services and support. With this responsibility comes decisions and pressure at times. People seeking care can sometimes develop anxiety or feel like they are in a crisis.
Here are some top drivers that the Palco Customer team commonly supports:
- People seeking care are experiencing a desperate search for caregivers.
- There is a responsibility to make sure their caregivers are paid accurately and on time.
- Spending/Service Plans
- Hospital Stays – breaks in service.
PalCare
Palco recently launched a new resource for self-direction called PalCare. This new resource provides the ability to improve the direct care workforce crisis and bridge the gap between self-directing employers seeking caregivers, and caregivers seeking work.
Managing Your Care
Connect is Palco’s online portal for Employers and Workers. It has everything you need if you are managing your own care or work schedule. You can use it anytime, day or night. Connect provides a great resource to keep up with services and pay close attention to your spending plan.
Palco also has Wages Now – An earned wage solution for the 21st Century Caregiver. Palco’s Earned Wage Access provides caregivers working in a traditional agency model, agency with choice model, and self-direction FE/A model access to a portion of their pay after every shift. (Insert the link)
Spending Plans
On a Waiver program the Participant/Designated Employer has the budget authority. This means they determine rates of pay and how to utilize their service allocation within the established program rules. They can also see when these services renew. There can sometimes be timing issues that can cause the client to feel overwhelmed.
Breaks in Service
In some instances, the Participant on the program may experience an inpatient visit to a hospital or nursing home facility. When this happens services are put on hold and the participant’s status changes. Once they return home, it can be stressful for them to make sure their services get reinstated in a timely manner and their caregivers receive payment on time.
Tips for Self-Care
There are times when these responsibilities can cause our clients to feel added pressure and sometimes result in them feeling like they are in a crisis mode. How can we help? Here are some tips on self-care to help you cope through crisis:
- Give yourself permission – Acknowledging you need a break from the pressure of being ultra-functional is a significant step towards self-compassion.
- Take time for you – Take a break, listen to music, and stay active.
- Keep a routine – Create a daily routine chart, which can be interactive for visual support.
- Consider what is in your control – Stay calm, be aware of your body language, and be clear and direct.
- Make a spiritual connection – Do not worry about the past or future, focus on what is happening now. Feel whatever you are feeling and observe it without attachment or aversion.
- Set realistic goals – Start small, make them achievable, be honest, set SMART goals.
- Taking a break from news and social media updates can help with mental health and reduce stress.
- Take good care of your body – Exercise, moderate exercise for tension release, mood enhancement and morale-building can’t be underestimated.
An integrated crisis management plan can help you respond to an unplanned event and make it through intact. We at Palco are here to help you!
by Toni Rose
Vice President of Customer Service
