C&C States
Self-Direction Handbook
Data &Grace Wall
Grace Wall is an 82-year-old woman living alone in a mobile home in Zephyrhills, Florida. Grace wants to remain independent as long as possible, but it's becoming increasingly difficult due to her significant health problems, including congestive heart failure, two hip replacements, loss of sight in one eye, and now lung cancer. For years, she'd been dissatisfied with the personal care assistance she was receiving through a Medicaid-contracted agency. Grace eagerly enrolled in Florida's Cash & Counseling program when it became available because she valued the opportunity to hire her own workers and determine her own priorities. Now, she can hire people she knows and trusts to help her. A good portion of her $437 monthly budget goes toward helping to buy over-the-counter medications and health care supplies. She's also used the money to fix her roof, clean her carpet, and have her windows washed. "I couldn't have done any of this myself," Grace says. "I didn't have enough in the bank." Now, she says, "I just feel better. I get what I need to get done without much fuss."