Health, Welfare and
Safety
General Overview
Overview
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Definition
Program Responsibility
Case Manager Responsibility
Emergency Plan
Contingency Plan
Priority and Risk System
Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation
Risk Definition
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Risk is defined as the potential for realization
of unwanted, adverse consequences to
human liked, health, property or the
environment. (Oxford English Dictionary).
Identification of Risk
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The process of case management ensures:
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An Assessment begins the process to identify risk,
Consumers are educated on healthy lifestyles,
Health related concerns are addressed,
Consumer rights are protected
Consumers are given provider choice
Person-Centered Care Planning
Barriers are identified and addressed
Consumers who refuse case management are
managed through another utilization/service
program
Program Responsibility
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Case Management to assist individuals to gain access to
needed:
 Medical
 Social
 Educational
 Other Services
To assist the consumer to identify strengths, barriers, potential
risks
To provide Education, Advocacy and Empowerment
To Follow-up on identified issues and concerns
To Monitor issues related to consumer health, welfare and safety
To report to appropriate organizations unresolved issues or
concerns to ensure health, welfare and/or safety
Case Manager Responsibility
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Educate Consumers on their rights including:
 Hearing and Appeals
 Program Specifics
 Participant Rights and Responsibilities
Complete a comprehensive assessment
Openly discuss identified strengths, barriers and potential risk
with consumer and support system
Develop a person-centered care plan
Develop a list of barriers and potential risks to follow-up on
during subsequent contacts
Assess for signs of Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation
Partner with the consumer to manage identified needs
Emergency Plan
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Two levels of Emergency Plan
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Organizational Emergency Plan in case of a
disaster to ensure protection of our program
consumers
Consumer Emergency Plan to ensure care needs
are addressed at all times in accordance with their
priority/risk score
Contingency Plan
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Back up Plans for formal and informal supports
Caregivers should have a contingency plan in the
event a caregiver is unable to provide support and
services
Agencies need to have a contingency plan to ensure
consumer receives scheduled services
HHS need to have a contingency plan to ensure
timely follow-up, access to services etc.
The HHS New Participant Handbook also addresses
Contingency Planning
Priority and Risk System
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Priority 1
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If service is not delivered as authorized and planned the client’s health and welfare
would be at immediate risk
HHS will communicate to the provider the authorized service, day, specific time and
specific tasks.
Priority 1 participants must have an emergency plan in place and the provider must
have a written contingency plan for staff call offs and for holiday coverage. (When the
individual receives daily services this includes holidays even if family is taking on care
responsibility)
Priority 2
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If service is not delivered as planned and authorized the individual would be at a higher
risk for health, welfare and safety issues
HHS will communicate to the provider the authorized service, day, and either the
specific time or specific tasks
Participant and caregiver coordination is required by the provider to work out specific
times or tasks as outlined in the authorization.
HHS will follow-up with consumer and/or provider to determine what the agreed times
or service are to complete the care plan and service authorization.
Priority 2 participants must have an emergency plan in place and the provider must
have a written contingency plan for staff call offs and for holiday coverage.
Priority and Risk System
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Priority 3
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If the service is not delivered as authorized or
planned the individual would be at some risk.
HHS provides the provider with at least one
component of the service schedule: Day, time or
specific tasks
To complete the person-centered plan HHS needs
to follow-up with consumer/provider to be able to
document all components including day, time
and/or specific tasks to be completed.
Abuse, Neglect and
Exploitation
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Abuse includes physical, sexual, verbal and
psychological
Neglect includes unsafe living arrangements
and basic needs not being met.
Basic needs include medical care, physical
and emotional needs
Exploitation for the elderly population is
primarily related to financial loss
Abuse, Neglect & Exploitation
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Need to look for signs of Abuse, Neglect and
Exploitation during contacts
Need to evaluate caregiver stress
Need to assess for use or mention of restraints by
caregivers as this is not an acceptable practice
The agency is responsible for notifying Adult
Protective Services, Calling 911 if the conditions are
unsafe knowing Adult Protective Services is not an
immediate response
Looking for a great training tool go to
http://www.helpguide.org/mental/elder_abuse_physical_
emotional_sexual_neglect.htm