Consumer-directed personal assistance services and consumer-directed personal attendant services help individuals with their daily needs, such as dressing, bathing, eating, and assistance with self-administration of medication. They may also be used to support individuals with their activities of daily living at work and other places in their communities.

Consumer-directed respite services provide assistance and supports to individuals that give the unpaid caregiver (for example, family members) some time to do things that they need to do for themselves or other members of the family. A respite worker assists the individual at home and in the community with things the family/caregiver normally helps with, giving the family/caregiver the needed time away.

Consumer-directed companion services, which are available only for adults, assist individuals with housekeeping, shopping, and community activities. This support can provide individuals with opportunities to get to know people in their communities and to participate more fully in community activities that interest them. This is also the only CD service that is available to individuals who receive congregate residential services (live in a group home).

To read the regulatory definitions of these services, click here.