Client Services Medical Case Management
What is Medical Case Management?
Medical case management is a multi-step process to ensure timely access to and coordination of medical and psychosocial services for a person living with HIV/AIDS.
Medical case management includes the following processes: intake, assessment of needs, service planning, service plan implementation, service coordination, monitoring and follow-up, reassessment, case conferencing, crisis intervention, and case closure.
Medical case management activities are diverse. In addition to assisting clients to access and maintain specific services, medical case management activities may include negotiation and advocacy for services, consultation with providers, navigation through the service system, psycho-social support, supportive counseling, and general client education.
The goal of medical case management is to promote and support independence and self-sufficiency. As such, the medical case management process requires the consent and active participation of the client in decision-making, and supports a client’s right to privacy, confidentiality, self-determination, dignity and respect, nondiscrimination, compassionate non-judgmental care, a culturally competent provider, and quality medical case management services.
The intended outcomes of HIV/AIDS medical case management for persons living with HIV/AIDS include:
- Early access to and maintenance of comprehensive health care and social services.
- Improved integration of services provided across a variety of settings.
- Enhanced continuity of care.
- Prevention of disease transmission and delay of HIV progression.
- Increased knowledge of HIV disease.
- Greater participation in and optimal use of the health and social service system.
- Reinforcement of positive health behaviors.
- Personal empowerment.
- An improved quality of life.
Since inception in February of 1986, AIDS Help (AHI) has provided housing assistance for needy individuals seriously disabled by AIDS due to their illness and loss of employment. Early on many of our clients died within a short period of time and housing dollars could be stretched to meet requests for assistance. With the advent of protease inhibitors and other treatment advances the lifespan of those living with HIV/AIDS has changed creating long-term housing needs that now extend over many years.
AHI clients are living longer and managing their disease because of a well functioning HIV/AIDS case managed care delivery system. Even so, those clients who are disabled still face incredible obstacles in finding and maintaining long-term and permanent housing, which is very limited or non-existent in many areas of Monroe County, Florida.
AIDS Help is committed to its housing mission established over two decades ago. Our agency recognizes the fact that stable housing is critical to the health and well-being of persons living with AIDS and is basic to the proper functioning of the entire care system. We take pride in the fact that long ago our mission would include housing as fundamental service, which concept many agencies across the nation are only now embracing.
Please visit our AHI Housing website | www.ahihousing.org
COMMUNITY NEED
Housing is Healthcare.
AIDS Help’s mission is to try to place people living with HIV/AIDS in safe, decent, appropriate and affordable housing so that they will maintain and manage their health, stay adherent to medical treatments, and lower the risk of spreading HIV.
FUTUREOver the years, nearly every client living at the AIDS Help housing facilities has remained in their housing unit by choice.
Building and properly managing housing units for HIV/AIDS disabled individuals can provide a future “annuity” for AHI clients and the agency itself. This annuity would come in the form of rental income, which can then be used to properly maintain the units and to fund critical support services such as case management, food, pharmaceuticals, specialty physicians and other like services for clients.
THE AIDS DISABLEDWho Are The HIV/AIDS Disabled?
Disability designations for all persons living with HIV/AIDS are made by the United States Social Security Administration (SSA) after an exhaustive assessment of the individual health and medical status. Only very ill or seriously disabled person receive an SSI/SSD disability designation.Of the total AHI caseload of 335 clients, there were 184 clients with an SSI/SSD disability designation from the Social Security Administration, as of June 30, 2008.
Please visit our AHI Housing website | www.ahihousing.org
Food Assistance
AIDS Help may be able to assist clients with the procurement of food through several programs.
- Eligible clients may have two meals a day provided through the PAC program.
- Our volunteers offer a "meals on wheels" program for clients who are unable to prepare their own food. This service is provided through the generosity of local Key West restaurants and delivered to client homes by volunteer.
- Case Managers can assist eligible clients through provision of food vouchers to local grocery stores and supermarkets and are knowledgeable about community resources for food staples programs.
Reducing the Risk of Infection
The HE/RR program aims to reach persons at increased risk of becoming infected with HIV or, if already infected, of transmitting the virus to others. The goal of the program is to reduce the risk of these events from occurring. Our activities are directed to persons whose behaviors or personal circumstances place them at risk.
The program activities include street and community outreach, risk reduction counseling, and community-level intervention.
Funding for the HE/RR Program is not intended to educate the general public, or population with none or low risk for HIV infection.
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The services they provide here are second to none and can all be accomplished under one roof, so the client does not have to search all over to find what one needs. Having said that I truly believe that what makes this organization so special is the unconditional love and compassion that each and every client receives from the staff.”
C.J. Morris
Client, AIDS Help
General Disclaimer: Any medical information provided through this website is for educational purposes only and is not meant to diagnose or treat a health problem
or a disease. It is not a substitute for professional care. If you have or suspect you may have a health problem, consult your healthcare provider.
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