Alene
Jacksonville, FL
Alene’s life dramatically changed after a surgery needed to remove a growth from her spine left her unable to walk.
Alene, a 75 year old Brevard County native, worked her entire life. But at age 71, she started to experience severe pain and trouble walking.
Once an active member of the ladies golf league in Jacksonville, Alene has been confined to her wheelchair since her surgery and now needs assistance for basic activities of daily living, such as bathing and toileting.
Although she qualifies for a nursing home level of care, like many disabled seniors, she much prefers to remain in her own home.
“This program is what keeps people like me going. It’s our lifeline.”
Based on her limited income and level of disability, she was able to enroll in Florida’s Medicaid Long-Term Care (LTC) Waiver. Enrollees in the LTC Waiver can receive home health care and other services needed to live at home as an alternative to nursing home care. These Medicaid services, which are also referred to as Home and Community Based Services (HCBS), are provided to eligible individuals through Medicaid managed care plans.
In spite of ongoing challenges with the managed care plan, Alene is grateful for the Medicaid home health services she receives.
“This program is what keeps people like me going. It’s our lifeline. Without Medicaid paying for my home health services, I would be on a nursing home or assisted living. Like most people, I want to live independently in my own place.”
Read STORIES Of Other Floridians
Relying On Medicaid
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"Medicaid | The Lived Experience" STORIES Project.
The Florida Health Justice Project, a nonprofit organization, recognizes that access to quality and affordable health care is a human right and engages in comprehensive advocacy to expand health care access and promote health equity for vulnerable Floridians.
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