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Community-Based Services Manual (CBSM)

Community-Based Services Manual (CBSM)


Caregiver counseling – AC, ECS and EW

For other family caregiver services available under the Alternative Care (AC), Essential Community Supports (ECS) and Elderly Waiver (EW) programs, refer to CBSM – Family caregiver services.

Page posted: 2/15/17

Page reviewed: 6/27/23

Page updated: 6/27/23

Legal authority

Federally approved EW plan, Minn. Stat. §256B.0913, Minn. Stat. §256B.0922

Definition

Caregiver counseling: An individualized, person-centered service designed to support caregivers by helping them with their decision-making and problem-solving.

Covered services

Caregiver counseling covers an enrolled caregiver consultant’s time spent with a caregiver providing counseling (i.e., a professional consultation) to help them make decisions and solve problems related to the caregiving role. This service covers the caregiver consultant’s time to:

1. Conduct an assessment of the caregiver’s needs and strengths.

2. Develop a support plan based on the caregiver’s identified needs.

3. Provide ongoing support to reach established goals, including, but not limited to:

  • · Facilitation of a person-centered learning and discovery process.
  • · Development of a comprehensive person-centered description and plan.
  • · Family counseling and family meetings
  • · Implementation of tools and strategies to cope with changes in the person’s personality and behavior.
  • · Problem-solving and conflict resolution.
  • · Time for finding resources.

    • Non-covered services

    This service does not cover:

  • · Materials.
  • · Preparation time.
  • · Travel.

    • Remote support

    Caregiver counseling can be delivered through remote support. Services delivered through remote support must meet all the requirements listed on CBSM – Remote support.

    Secondary information

    Services under all waiver/AC programs must meet the requirements listed in the services section of CBSM – Waiver/AC programs overview.

    The lead agency must document all caregiver counseling services in the person’s support plan.

    The caregiver does not need to live at the same address as the person to receive coaching and counseling services.

    Provider standards and qualifications

    Caregiver counseling is a DHS enrollment-required service. For more information, refer to CBSM – Waiver/AC service provider overview.

    Eligible providers

    Caregiver counseling is provided by caregiver consultants. Caregiver consultant providers are professionals who work independently or who work for a home care agency or a care or support-related organization and meet all the following criteria:

    1. Complete all trainings required by the Minnesota Board on Aging (MBA) to be a fully trained caregiver consultant.

    2. Have either of the following qualifications:

  • · A bachelor’s degree from an accredited program in social work, nursing, counseling, gerontology, health education, rehabilitation therapy, health and human services or a related degree; and have at least one year of experience providing either:
    a. Home care or long-term care services to older adults
    b. Training, education or counseling to caregivers of older adults 
  • · Have five years of experience supporting older adults/families in social services, health care or other relevant settings, or a combination of work and college credits.

    • 4. Participate in continuing education offered by MBA and Area Agencies on Aging, including education about cultural diversity topics.

    5. Meet all licensing, certification or credentialing requirements specific to their profession or practice.

    Licensed professional caregiver consultants may include:

  • · Advanced practice registered nurse.
  • · Dietician.
  • · Gerontologist.
  • · Health educator.
  • · Licensed practical nurse.
  • · Nutritionist.
  • · Pharmacist.
  • · Physician.
  • · Physician assistant.
  • · Public health nurse.
  • · Registered nurse.
  • · Rehabilitation therapist.
  • · Social worker.

    • A care or support-related organizations may include:

  • · Social service or health care organization.
  • · Community or faith-based agency.
  • · State or local chapter of a chronic disease organization (e.g., Alzheimer’s Association).

    • Training for caregiver consultants

    The MBA providers caregiver consultant training. For more information about caregiver consultant training, contact MBA.DHS@state.mn.us.

    Authorization, rates and billing

    Before delivering services, the provider must submit a service description and plan to the lead agency for approval.

    Based on this information and the person’s needs, the lead agency determines if they will authorize the service. If they authorize the service, the lead agency keeps supporting documentation in the person’s file.

    The lead agency authorizes caregiver counseling at the state-established, 15-minute rate. For more information, refer to:

  • · CBSM – Rate methodologies for AC, ECS and EW.
  • · Long-Term Services and Supports Service Rate Limits, DHS-3945 (PDF).

    • Additional resources

    CBSM – Family caregiver services
    CBSM – Caregiver training
    CBSM – Rate methodologies for AC, ECS and EW
    CBSM – Remote support
    CBSM – Waiver/AC programs overview
    CBSM – Waiver/AC service provider overview
    Long-Term Services and Supports Service Rate Limits, DHS-3945 (PDF)
    MinnesotaHelp.info

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