Submitted by L’Vette Robertson, Associate Director of Area IRIS Consultant Agency Operations for TMG
Being a caregiver to a loved one is a big job. It can be very rewarding, but also can add a lot to your plate. If your loved one has long-term care needs, it’s important to not only provide them with the support they need, but to also find ways to share the caregiving load so that you can continue giving your best care to your loved one.
Wisconsin offers options in long-term care support, which include services for people who are aging or with physical or developmental disabilities. One option eligible individuals have is to self-direct their long-term care services through a program called IRIS, which stands for Include, Respect, I Self-direct. Self-directing their long-term care means individuals choose how they receive services and who they receive them from. As a caregiver, this can open up new avenues to ensure your loved one receives the care they need without the responsibility falling solely on to you.
In Wisconsin’s IRIS program, designed for adults 18 or older, individuals have the choice and control to hire people or agencies that they want, and pay them using part of their monthly IRIS budget. This means they could choose to use some of their funds to pay you, if you are eligible, to help compensate for some of the time you spend caregiving. Or they could choose to hire another person or agency to help with the caregiving so that you can have the chance to take regular respite.
Your loved one can also choose to purchase other services and supports with their IRIS budget that promotes greater independence and possibly less need for caregiver assistance. Because you and your loved one knows their needs best, they will direct those supports to help them reach their goals. However, know that they are not alone on their self-direction journey. Your loved one will partner with an IRIS Consultant who will meet them where they’re at in their journey and provide support, guidance, information, and resources.
Back in 2008, the State of Wisconsin contracted with TMG to help start the IRIS program. Today, TMG is the largest IRIS Consultant Agency (ICA), partnering with more than 16,000 people throughout Wisconsin. TMG is also the only 5-star-rated ICA on the measure of quality and timely services, based on the Wisconsin Department of Health Services Options Scorecard data for IRIS Consultant Agencies, July 2019.
For more information about TMG visit www.tmgwisconsin.com or connect with us at facebook.com/TMGWisconsin.
You and your family have options for getting long-term-care supports. If you would like more information on how the IRIS program, visit the Wisconsin Department of Health Services IRIS webpage at www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/iris or contact the Aging Resource Center (ARC) or the Disability Resource Center (DRC) which serves Milwaukee County. You can both the reach the ARC and DRC at (414) 289-6874. Both are located at 1220 W. Vliet Street, Milwaukee, WI 53205. To learn more about the ARC and DRC, visit www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/adrc/consumer/milwaukee.htm.
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