title: Paid personal assistance services:an exploratory study of working-age consumers' perspectives.
abstract: This study examined the experiences of individuals who use paid personal assistance services (PAS). Structured interview data were collected from a convenience sample of 24 working-age individuals from diverse backgrounds recruited from Centers for Independent Living in nine states. Respondents described their general satisfaction with current paid PAS, but many reported previous experiences with poor care related to the low wages, lack of training of PAS providers, and an inadequate supply of providers. Respondents reported many unmet needs because of a shortage of hours provided by state programs and the lack of help with daily living activities, transportation, childcare, and social activities. The respondents strongly preferred consumer-directed care.
authors.affiliation: Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94118, USA. bgrossma@ucsf.edu
authors.forename: Brian R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Grossman
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kitchener
authors.forename: Joseph T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Mullan
authors.forename: Charlene
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Harrington
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003258:Consumer Behavior; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D018576:Home Health Aides / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000600:supply & distribution; D006704:Homemaker Services / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017146:Models, Organizational; D012456:Salaries and Fringe Benefits; D014481:United States; D000078329:Workforce