Person-centered planning is not a new concept in the world of healthcare and patient advocacy, but it is still growing in popularity, particularly for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDDs).
In California’s Self-Determination Program (SDP), person-centered plans (PCPs) are designed to focus on a client’s goals and the steps they should take to achieve them. This sort of plan is not a set-it-and-forget-it type of document, though. PCPs are meant to be updated regularly: the question is, then, how often should you revisit yours?
Quick Review: What is a Person-Centered Plan?
A person-centered plan is a comprehensive method of choosing how certain conditions of yours are treated. This includes your doctors and medical personnel, medications you take, services you use, and anything else that impacts your care.
The SDP, which became available to all Californians in 2021, is centered around giving people with IDDs more power over services they need in order to lead independent lives.
An SDP participant often collaborates with their circle of support—friends, family, and other loved ones—along with experienced facilitators to develop their person-centered plan. The services and activities outlined in a PCP are aligned with SDP spending plans, which determine how participants pay for everything.
How Often Should Person-Centered Plans Be Updated?
The short answer? Whenever it needs to be. Some SDP participants and other Regional Center customers never need to substantially change their person-centered plans. Others, especially those whose health conditions may change from time to time, may need to update their plans more frequently.
Ideally, participants and their circles of trust should review person-centered plans twice a year to ensure that the care and services they receive match their needs. Plans with many moving parts can necessitate changes that may not always be obvious.
Reflecting on Your Person-Centered Plan
Many participants need to update person-centered plans more frequently than twice per year. Receiving a major diagnosis that affects your ability to complete activities of daily living (ADLs) often means you should update your plan. Losing a key member of your circle of support—having a family member move out of state, for instance—might also require tweaking the plan.
As you go over your person-centered plan and ponder its effectiveness within your participation in the SDP, here are some things to ask yourself:
- Are the services I’m receiving helping me reach my goals?
- Is my financial management service (FMS) keeping me updated on how my money is being spent?
- Am I experiencing gaps in necessary services?
- Can I add any services that may help me become more independent?
NeuroNav Helps You Create Authentic Person-Centered Plans
Keeping your spending plan, individual budget, and other important parts of the SDP centered on you and your goals is often a group effort. Navigating numerous care systems can be challenging for first-timers. NeuroNav has a team of caring, experienced independent facilitators who can ensure your interests are well-represented.
Whether you’re merely looking at becoming an SDP participant or needing someone to maintain an existing plan, we would be honored to fight for you every step of the way and help you reach your goals. Contact us here to set up a free consultation.
