Best states to live in w/ a disability?

[Mommycares]

Florida has many great programs but be very careful about moving here if your paralysis is not the direct result of an injury. I have found no resources here for Transverse Myelitis. Same result -- different cause, does not matter.

[russianrob]

You might check Florida. There are many programs, but many waiting lists. However, there may be a waiver for some program you qualify for..... Also if you intend to go back to work in any capacity there is a great program through the Florida Association of CIL's called the JPASS program that serves most counties. There website is www.floridacils.org --Rules are very strict and for returning to work, but I THINK that can even be part time and a friend, family member, or spouse can be the PAID caregiver if needed. Just a thought.

[SCI-Nurse]

I just know that a friend of mine with a traumatic SCI moved to Florida several years ago, and found the waiting list to get approved for PCA care to be months long. She ended up having to stay in a nursing home for over 5 months before she got approved, even though she was purchasing her own home (after selling hers in CA). Be VERY cautious about assuming that you will get benefits right away, even when they are present, esp. with the current economy and changes in state run programs.

(KLD)

[DexRex]

Originally Posted by SCI-Nurse

I just know that a friend of mine with a traumatic SCI moved to Florida several years ago, and found the waiting list to get approved for PCA care to be months long. She ended up having to stay in a nursing home for over 5 months before she got approved, even though she was purchasing her own home (after selling hers in CA). Be VERY cautious about assuming that you will get benefits right away, even when they are present, esp. with the current economy and changes in state run programs.

(KLD)

This is my biggest concern, getting approval right away for PCA coverage as well as health insurance.

5 months in a nursing home isn't going to fly with me. If that's what's required to live there, then I'll look elsewhere, which might in fact be the reason why it takes so long to get approved. They don't WANT you there. 5 months is pretty good incentive to look elsewhere.

SCI is SCI, in Denver or San Diego or Miami. If your state says you need X services/help, then another state should automatically pop you into their program. You might not get the same exact services, but to wait 5 months and hope some nursing home doesn't kill you before then is inexcusable.

OK, so Florida's scratched off the list.

Anyone know anything about Arizona or New Mexico? I know that Nevada's terrible. (Actually, according to CIL's there, it's so bad that it would need to improve 10 fold to reach the level of "terrible." I was told a vent-dependent quad in Nevada typically gets ONE HOUR a day in coverage.)

Thanks!

[Cripple Concepts]

I moved to Colorado in 1999 in large part due to accessibility and Medicaid home care coverage, while our system has issues like all states we have good advocacy organizations keeping the state honest. It does get cold here, but not like New England!

[DexRex]

Originally Posted by Cripple Concepts

I moved to Colorado in 1999 in large part due to accessibility and Medicaid home care coverage, while our system has issues like all states we have good advocacy organizations keeping the state honest. It does get cold here, but not like New England!

Cold is a 4-letter word. Anywhere cold is on the bottom of my list, lol.

[MSspouse]

Originally Posted by Cripple Concepts

I moved to Colorado in 1999 in large part due to accessibility and Medicaid home care coverage...

Of the 4 states I've lived in, Colorado was the best managed by far. Not only was government more effective, I paid less state taxes overall. It was the drought and fire issues that bothered me.

[Rick c5 c6 quad]

SCI Nurse, very good point regarding the waiting list.


Dex Rex, i hope you find a suitable warm weather state to move to with adequate services and please keep us informed on what you find out.

[Wheel Travel]

My sister lives in New Mexico, and she has a caregiver through Medicaid.

[ekephart]

We live in VA. While we did not have an issue with a waiting list, we have had huge issues with the hourly wage the state will allow the caregiver to be paid (if you find the person). If you go through an agency, they get paid even less. Accessibility in our area is pretty good but public transit sucks. In northern VA, the wage is a little higher (11.47 vs 8.86 locally) and public transit is better. The only time factor I can see is the regular government b.s. Ryan was Medicaid approved effective the date he was discharged from out of state rehab. I have no idea how long the application process is for someone coming in from out of state. As with every state, eligibility is based on income.

In addition to the waiver that provides (in theory) PCA, transportation to medical related apts (scary in our area-not reliable, inadequate training), he also receives Medicare premium, drug plan coverage and co-pay assistance due to his extremely low income. He was hurt at 17 and lives at home so his disability income is miniscule. If he were doing a Medicare supplement instead of a drug plan, they would help with those premiums. He has private, primary insurance so it is a bit different.

VA is not exactly tropical but it is a far cry from New England. Here in Tidewater, snow is rare and normally small. Medical specialist are available and Eastern VA Medical School being local helps. What we really lack specialized therapy for SCI progress.

My point is, you need to think about more than weather. I can relate to your desire for better weather but you really need to factor in all aspects of your locality requirements. If you have to travel an hour each way to see a doctor that you see regularly, that impacts your quality of life.--eak