Personal Care Attendant Program in MA
Personal Care Attendants are at the heart of the Independent Living Movement. By performing and helping with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs) that not everyone can do on their own, PCA's give people with disabilities the freedom to work, to play, to live in the community and home of their choice, and to be independent. Without PCA's, many more people would be restricted to institutions and nursing homes.
- No overtime means that a PCA may not work more than 40 hours for one individual, or for multiple individuals. (See exemptions below)
- PCAs are not highly paid, and some rely on overtime just to make ends meet.
- The relationship between a consumer and a PCA is often very intimate and typically takes awhile to get right. In spite of PCAs' work being considered a low-skilled job, it is not easy for a consumer to find the right PCA. The intimate relationship creates a complexity that takes time to build. PCAs are not legos, easily replaced by another.
- At this time, in MA, it is difficult to find PCAs. The work is not for everyone, and with a good economy, home care workers are in high demand.
- We predict that many many consumers will either be unable to find replacements in time. For some, this will lead to illness and/or institutionalization.
- PCAs who work more than 40 hours per week
- Consumers who employ one PCA for more than 40 hours per week
- Consumers who employ a PCA who works more than 40 hours per week for multiple consumers
Consumers must apply for exemptions, with the assumption that the exemption is not permanent.
- If a PCA lives with a consumer, the PCA may get approval to work up to 60 hours per week. This approval is for one year.
- Continuity of Care - Consumers may apply for mitigating circumstances and maintain their current PCA situation for 8 weeks. At that time, they may reapply for 12 more weeks.
What can be done?
If you or someone you know is harmed by these new limits, please call Governor Baker and tell him your story, and how this ruling is affecting you. 617.725.4005 or visit ma.gov



Sponsors
PCAForever.org is hosted by the MetroWest Center for Independent Living with support from the Stavros Independent Living Center
, the Boston Center for Independent Living
, and the Statewide Personal Assistance Coalition.
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ADL: Activities of Daily Living include mobility (including tranfers), medications, bathing and grooming, dressing and undressing, range-of-motion exercises, eating and toileting.
IADL: Instrumental Activities of Daily Living include meal preparation, shopping, laundry, managing money, housework, transportation, use of telephone, outdoor mobility, and taking medicine