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Consumer Control, Choice, and the Consumer’s Representative

Puts the consumer in control of their own home care services, as 28 Pa. Code Chapter 611 requires: the consumer, or the consumer’s representative, directs which services are given and how; staff respect choices, including the choice to refuse a task; the Agency checks who may act as the consumer’s representative and what they may decide; and no employee ever acts as a consumer’s power of attorney or guardian.

Preview: full text with a package
About this policy
Policy number
PA-HC-CR-03
Version
1.0
Main rule
28 Pa. Code §611.5
Library
Pennsylvania home care · 49 policies
Category
Client rights
Sections
22

In short

  • The consumer is in charge. Ask how they want each task done and follow their direction within the service plan.
  • A consumer may refuse a task. Do not insist. Offer it again later, record the refusal, and call your supervisor if it could cause harm.
  • Check Form PA-HC-CR-03-A to see who may make decisions or receive information for the consumer.
  • Speak to the consumer, not about them, even when family is present.
  • Never act as a consumer’s power of attorney, guardian, or health care agent, even if asked.

What's inside

22 sections. The full text comes with the One-time Policy Pack.

Full text with a package
  • Terms of Reference
  • 1. Purpose
  • 2. Scope
  • 3. Definitions
  • 4. Policy Statement (28 Pa. Code §611.5)
  • 5. Consumer Control in Everyday Practice
  • 6. Choices the Consumer Makes
  • 7. When a Consumer Refuses a Task or a Visit
  • 8. The Consumer’s Representative
  • 8.1 Who may act for the consumer
  • 8.2 What a representative may and may not do
  • 8.3 When the consumer and the representative disagree
  • 8.4 When the consumer may not be able to decide
  • 9. Staff Never Act as a Representative
  • 10. Waiver Participants
  • 11. Responsibilities
  • 12. Records and Compliance Monitoring
  • 13. Staff Training
  • 14. References
  • 15. Related Policies and Forms
  • 16. Approval
  • 17. Revision History

An inspector may ask

  • What does consumer control mean in your agency? Ask a direct care worker to explain it.
  • What does a worker do when a consumer refuses a bath or a task in the plan?

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