What is Institutional/Nursing Home Transition?

Identifying and helping to establish supports for people with disabilities who wish to safely transition out of nursing homes and other institutional living and into the community.

Why Help Transition People out of Nursing Homes?

The Basic Human Right to Independence

First and foremost, people with disabilities have the right to live independently. This includes people unnecessarily institutionalized in nursing facilities.

On June 22, 1999, the United States Supreme Court held in Olmstead vs. L.C. that the unnecessary segregation of individuals with disabilities in institutions might constitute discrimination based on disability. The court ruled that the Americans with Disabilities Act might require states to provide community-based services rather than institutional placements for individuals with disabilities.

Quality of Life

Studies show that individuals with disabilities who live in the community are more likely to interact with non-disabled people, learn job skills, and become independent, productive citizens.

Economics

Community-based care is generally much cheaper to provide than institutional care and yields much greater benefits. Average annual institutional costs range from $30,000 to $60,000, (Nosek and Howland-1993), while in-home services average $8,000 to $15,000 (ADAPT-1995) and about $27,000 for people who use 24-hour care.

What does Walton Options’ Transition Program Offer?

As a part of their core services, Walton Options works to assist persons who wish to live independently in the community by offering:

Transition Coordinator to offer support and guidance
Information and referral
Peer Support
Independent Living Skills Training
Self-determination training
Assistance in applying for Medicaid waiver programs
Assistance in finding housing or modifying an existing home
Assistive Technology
Community integration training
Assistance with the physical move
Connections to community services
Transportation
Personal assistant services
Household tasks
Limited financial assistance with
Rent/Utility deposits
Household items/furniture
Medical supplies/equipment

What Can I Do to Help With This Process?

Transitioning out of a nursing home can be a lengthy process, because it is a whole-person process. If someone has been in a nursing home for several years, they may have no material possessions, no family, and no home of their own to return to. Transition requires a group effort. Through the help of family, friends, our staff, other agencies and you, we desire to help individuals to regain their independence and dignity.

If you know someone who would like to transition, or if you’re interested in volunteering in this project to assist in transitioning someone out of a nursing home, please call 706-724-6262 in Georgia and 803-279-9611 in South Carolina to speak with or arrange for a visit with an Independent Living Advocate.

To find out more about how you can donate to assist with getting persons with disabilities out of nursing homes and allowing them to live independently click here.

Other sites to visit:

http://www.cms.hhs.gov/olmstead/olmslink.asp
ADA/Olmstead Related Links
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

http://www.ncsl.org/programs/health/nursinghomeslaws.htm
National Council of State Legislatures

http://www.ilru.org/html/projects/olmstead/index.html
Resources and Advocacy Training on Olmstead Implementation
Independent Living Resource Utilization

http://www.os.dhhs.gov/newfreedom/
President Bush’s New Freedom Initiative
Department of Health and Human Services