C&C States
Self-Direction Handbook
Data &Jessie Green
Jessie Green is an 85-year-old man who lives in a mobile home in rural Arkansas with his wife of 59 years, Tammy. Mr. Green suffered brain damage as a result of seizures 55 years ago, and has been unable to care for himself ever since. His family has always kept him at home and provided the lion's share of his care. They tried visiting nurses, but were always dissatisfied. So his children grew up helping their mother, a full-time nurses' aide, take care of their dad. When Tammy retired from her job, she became her husband's full-time caregiver. But she was getting older herself and it was exhausting for her. So 15 years ago, she and her husband moved from New Jersey to Arkansas, to a mobile home next door to their son, Jarrod, and his family. Since then, Jarrod has been juggling his full-time job, his family, and helping his mom care for his dad. When they learned about Arkansas' Cash & Counseling program, the family immediately enrolled Mr. Green. Jarrod now gets paid for 11 of the approximately 20-plus hours a week he works as his dad's caregiver. The arrangement allows the family to more easily provide Mr. Green with the "care he deserves" while also giving Mrs. Green scheduled breaks from the physical and emotional demands of 24-hour caregiving. The allowance also provides additional financial support to Jarrod's family. Jarrod is now contemplating looking for full-time work as a home care aide because he finds the work gratifying and it's something he knows he is good at, having had decades of experience caring for his dad.