Personal Care Assistance Program (PCA)
PCA services keep consumers living in their homes with personal care help as opposed to hospitals or nursing homes. The program is consumer controlled. The person receiving the services manages their program independently, or with the assistance of a surrogate of their choice.
Who is Eligible?
Consumers are eligible with the following qualifications:
- Have MassHealth Standard or CommonHealth
- Have a permanent or chronic disability
- Require physical assistance with two or more Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) such as eating, dressing, grooming, medication administration, or passive range of motion.
Who Can Be My PCA?
- Anyone who’s at least 14 years of age
- Legally able to work in the United States
- Someone who is NOT your Legal Guardian, Spouse or PCA Surrogate
How do I get on the PCA program?
- Refer yourself or someone else may refer you such as family members, doctors and other providers.
- All potential consumers are screened for eligibility.
- If eligible, we will call you to set up an intake assessment.
- Our Nurses and Occupational Therapists will conduct an evaluation to determine how much assistance you need.
- Our PCA Skills Specialists will provide you and/or your surrogate with Orientation and Skills Training to learn about the PCA program.
Hire a PCA or find a job as a PCA
Visit the Mass PCA Directory or Rewarding Work.
Voices of NILP
“The PCA program is a godsend. I don’t
know how I would manage without it.”