BlueCross BlueShield Member Story

BlueCross BlueShield of Illinois Provides Peace Of Mind At Home For Member On Elderly Waiver

A BCBS of Illinois member was discharged from a nursing facility on July 2021. His daughter and Power of Attorney (POA) drove for over an hour multiple times per week to check on him. She was overwhelmed by the level of care needed when the member first returned home from the nursing facility. The member was resistant to assistance, he frequently sent homemakers away when they arrived for their shifts. He also showed cognitive decline.

The member provided permission for his care coordinator to speak with his POA (daughter) for his care and assessments. Upon completion of the initial assessments, it was identified that member needed increased

homemaker hours and an Emergency Home Response System (EHRS). He was stratified as high risk and monthly care plan reviews were completed. An Automatic Medication Dispenser (AMD) was offered, and the member and his daughter agreed to install. The daughter also spoke with neighbors who agreed to aid while she was away and to call

her as needed.

The member has now had the Automatic Medication Dispenser for over a month. His daughter reported that the Automatic Medication Dispenser is helping and that she only visits every other Saturday instead of multiple times per week. The member’s neighbor stops by on the weekend to visit and calls the daughter if any concerns arise. The

daughter continues to notice her father’s decision-making skills are slower than they used to be but not where he cannot live independently. The daughter reports she is feeling less overwhelmed and is now able to

visit as his daughter rather than as a caretaker.

She expressed that the services are helping the member remain at home and give the family peace of mind that he is cared for and there are enough people involved to check on him regularly. The member has not sent his homemakers away like he had in the past and his physical and occupational therapy sessions have been completed successfully.

He continues to have need for home exercises and still has weakness but is much stronger than when he returned home from the nursing facility in July 2021. The member has been doing so well and showing progress with the services that we were able to change his risk stratification from high risk to moderate risk.