December 21, 2016

Unsafe Wandering or Exit-Seeking Behavior: Protect Residents with Person-Centered Planning!

Last week, CMS released FAQs cocerning Medicaid Beneficiaries in Home and Community-Based Settings who Exhibit Unsafe Wandering or Exit-Seeking Behavior. These FAQs give states and stakeholders guidance on how to protect individual choice and adhere to the requirements of person-centered planning for those individuals with dementia and who exhibit unsafe wandering and exit-seeking behaviors.

In the FAQs, CMS highlights that "person-centered planning, staff training and care delivery are core components of provider operations to meet HCBS requirements while responding to unsafe wandering or exit-seeking behavior in an individualized manner."

The FAQs address:

That person-centered planning involves identifying the individuals' needs, conditions, history, daily routine, and creating strategies to ensure interaction with others and community integration. Even when providers are utilizing controlled-egress, the providers must honor the individuals' autonomy while minimizing safety risks.
Staffing training requirements, the need to provide flexible supervision from resident to resident, suggested activites to prevent under-stimulation, and proper environmental design strategies to help create sensory stimulation and allow unrestricted access to safe and secured spaces outdoors.

For more information on Home and Community Based Services, please visit our website here.

Questions? Contact the Consumer Voice at info@theconsumervoice.org.

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