Polk officials say many qualified area residents are unaware of an alternative to nursing home care that is available for disabled adults in Polk County.

The Community Alternatives Program for disabled adults (CAP/DA) is administered by St. Luke’s Hospital. The program provides services in patients’ homes to individuals who would otherwise require the level of care provided in a nursing facility.

Services available

CAP services include:

In-home aides to assist with personal care

Incontinence supplies, nutritional supplements, home mobility devices (walkers, wheelchair, etc.), safety and medical equipment, telephone alerts and in-home or institutional respite care

Registered nurses who are case managers to ensure services are adequate and meet client health and safety needs

Who is eligible?

To be eligible for the CAP program, the patient must be:

A resident of Polk County

Eligible for Medicaid and at risk for nursing home placement

Able to be approved for skilled or intermediate care by a physician

Able to be cared for safely in the home and at less cost than facility placement

If you have any questions about the CAP program, or to make a referral, call Libby Carter, RN, director of CAP services, at 828-894-0564.