OPTIONS Program

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WHAT IS THE OPTIONS PROGRAM?

 

The OPTIONS for Community Living Program provides care and support services to elderly and/or disabled Tennessee residents in their homes. Services include personal care, meals, and assistance maintaining one’s home. These services are provided free of charge to persons under certain income levels. Individuals with income exceeding these levels pay for services based on a sliding scale. If a co-payment is charged, the fees are well less than would be if one were required to purchase the services from a home care provider directly.

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Each applicant is assessed to determine what their care needs and functionality limitations are, and also to ascertain the amount of care that can reasonably be provided by their family members given the financial resources they have. Once these factors have been considered, a care plan is created. Re-assessments of care requirements and revisions of care plans occur annually at a minimum.

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WHAT SERVICES ARE INCLUDED IN THE OPTIONS PROGRAM?

 

Commonly-used services provided through OPTIONS include, but are not limited to, home-delivered meals (nutritious meals brought to the home by volunteers), personal care (assistance with bathing, hair washing, etc.) and homemaker services (trained housekeepers help individuals with routine house cleaning, laundry and shopping).

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Individual services are provided to consumers on an "as-needed" basis.

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AM I ELIGIBLE FOR OPTIONS?

 

OPTIONS program eligibility is based on a combination of factors. Persons aged 60 and older must require assistance to perform their Activities of Daily Living (ADL) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) as certified by a medical professional. These include actions such as mobility, toiletry, hygiene, dressing, light housekeeping, and cooking. Persons between the ages of 18 and 60 must be disabled as determined by the Office of Social Security.

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The candidate’s financial asset information is requested on the application. Having “countable assets” greater than the Medicaid limit of $2,000 does not preclude participation. However, priority may be given to those persons with assets less than these limits.

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To determine if you are eligible, contact the FTAAAD Information and Assistance line at 1-866-836-6678 and request a screening.

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HOW DO I APPLY FOR OPTIONS?

 

To determine if you are eligible, contact the FTAAAD Information and Assistance line at 1-866-836-6678 and request a screening. If you appear to be eligible, the I&A representative will complete your application.

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Applicants should be aware that in past years a waiting list for services has existed.  This means that an applicant may be qualified but still has to wait to receive services.  Prioritization on the waiting list is based on income and physical need.

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WHAT IF I'M TURNED DOWN FOR OPTIONS?

 

If a consumer is determined to be ineligible for OPTIONS for Community living, it is because they failed to meet the health, income, or social-support requirements.

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If you have been denied services in the past, but have had your health deteriorate, lost the support of a family caregiver, been hospitalized recently, or had a fall, please contact the FTAAAD Information and Assistance line at 1-866-836-6678 and request a re-screening. You may now be eligible.

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