Lower Columbia Community Action Program (CAP) announced Tuesday that it will discontinue its home care service program by Dec. 31.
“At one time, CAP was the largest provider of home care to Medicaid-eligible people in Cowlitz County, but over time the number of providers has increased,” CAP Executive Director Ilona Kerby said in a prepared statement. “This is now a need that can be met by other agencies.”
Over the next two and one-half months, CAP will work with the Area Agency on Aging & Disabilities of Southwest Washington (AAADSW) to help shift clients to other home care agencies.
CAP has provided home care services for more than 30 years and has 77 clients who receive care from 36 caregivers. The program provides services to allow ill, disabled and older persons to live independently. Services include housework, personal hygiene, bathing assistance, laundry, dressing and grooming, meal preparation and shopping.
While the cost of the program has continued to increase over the past eight years, the number of clients and number of service hours have declined, she said.
“To discontinue a long-standing program is a hard decision to make,” Kerby said in the statement, “but an important factor in the decision was the number of other agencies in Cowlitz County who now provide home care and will be able to serve the clients.”
For more information, call CAP at 360-425-3430 ext 240.
