Personal Care Attendant Program

People with disabilities and or chronic illnesses know best what their needs are. The Personal Care Attendant Program (PCA) of Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services (SCES) allows the consumer to have control over the design and delivery of their own personal care services. With the help of SCES staff, the consumer or designated adult, hires, trains, and supervises the PCA who can provide a range of personal care services.

Services

• The PCA can help the consumer bathe, dress, take medication, eat, ambulate, transfer, toilet, exercise, and perform other medically necessary tasks. He or she may also be authorized to assist with housekeeping, laundry, shopping and meal preparation.
• A skills trainer from SCES provides technical assistance to the consumer to develop the skills needed to independently manage the PCA Program and provides ongoing support.

Eligibility

There are no age restrictions for the PCA program.

Individuals may be eligible if they:

• Are a recipient of, or eligible for, MassHealth*, CommonHealth, Mass Commission for the Blind, or Emergency Aid to the Elderly, Disabled and Children (*MassHealth Income cap for 65 years and older is $1,087/month instead of $851)
• Require physical help with two or more "activities of daily living" because of a chronic or permanent disability

Who Can Be a Personal Care Attendant?

• No special license or certification is needed-the PCA must be legally eligible for employment in Massachusetts . PCA is paid $10.84/hour.
• Can be a partner, family member (except for a spouse, surrogate or legal guardian), a neighbor, friend, or someone else the consumer recruits. Please note that the guidelines have recently been expanded to allow parents of adults, sons, daughters and in-laws to become PCA's.