Consumer-Directed Services (CDS)

Consumer-Directed Services, often called CDS, can make a meaningful difference for individuals who want to remain at home while receiving the personal care and support they need. For many families, the hardest part of finding care is not simply arranging help. It is trusting the person who will be entering the home, assisting with daily routines, and supporting someone’s health, dignity, and independence. Consumer-Directed Services gives eligible individuals the opportunity to choose the person who provides their care, which may include a family member or friend. That familiar connection can bring comfort, consistency, and peace of mind, especially for someone who would rather receive care from a person they already know than from a stranger. For individuals searching for consumer-directed services in St. Louis, CDS home care in St. Louis, or a consumer-directed care agency in St. Louis, ExtraCare Home Health Agency provides guidance through a program designed around personal choice. CDS is commonly used by individuals with physical disabilities who are able to direct their own care and who need help in order to continue living independently at home. Instead of forcing a one-size-fits-all care arrangement, Consumer-Directed Services allows the participant to be involved in deciding who helps them and how their approved care plan is carried out. This can be especially valuable for families who are already helping with bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, transfers, meal preparation, errands, laundry, medication pickup, and other daily living needs. The program may also allow a caregiver to be paid for helping a loved one, which is why many families search for how to get paid to care for a family member in Missouri. At a minimum, eligible individuals typically must be MO HealthNet or Medicaid eligible, 18 years or older, physically disabled, able to direct their own care, capable of living independently with CDS services, and in need of at least a nursing facility level of care. The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, or a designee, may assess individuals who meet the basic requirements to determine whether they qualify. If approved, a care plan is created to outline the type of help the individual may receive through a CDS attendant. ExtraCare Home Health Agency helps families better understand this process, what services may be available, and how Consumer-Directed Services can support a safer, more comfortable life at home.