Determining Type and Quantity of Household Services Required for Persons With Disabilities: Using Time Use Survey Data

One of the most important and perhaps costly categories in a life care plan is Home Care Services. This may include personal attendant care, facility care, and/or household services for persons with disabilities. This article focuses upon household services which, for the purpose of this article, refer to all of the services required to maintain a home such as yard work, home repairs, home renovations, and housecleaning. In developing a life care plan, life care planners are faced with the challenge of determining: I. Which activities should be considered for inclusion in the life care plan? 1. II. What amount of hired services should be allocated for assistance with household activities for individuals with disabilities? 1. III. What is an appropriate age for reduction and eventual cut-off of household services due to aging? This article provides an overview of currently available American and Canadian Time Use Survey data and its application to life care planning in each of the three areas outlined above. In some parts of Canada, a number of life care planners are currently using time use survey data to assist with determining the amount of funding to allocate for household services. When used appropriately, such data and its activity classification systems can take the guesswork out of determining what type and amount of household services should be allocated for clients who are limited from performing such activity due to their disability. A case study also is offered.