Promoting Independence & Choice Program

About the Program

Category: Human Services (Best in Category)

Year: 2016

The Promoting Independence & Choice Program (PIC Program) in San Diego County provides voluntary conservatorship-like services at no cost. People served are low to middle income with limited assets, experiencing difficulty with making sound financial and/or healthcare decisions (due to cognitive challenge), are age 50 and older with no appropriate support system in place and as a result are at risk of physical and/or financial harm. By 2030, it is estimated that nearly 93,000 County residents age 65 and older will suffer from Alzheimer’s disease; this does not include aging people with other forms of dementia. Nationally, over 89 percent of those over age 50 want to remain in their own homes as they age. Maintaining independence without a support system is difficult for people who have conditions associated with a decline in memory. Legal conservatorship is time-consuming and expensive; options for people who lack assets are limited. Existing programs lack the resources to intervene and help keep these people safe in their homes. In 2011, the County Health and Humans Services Agency’s (HHSA) Aging & Independence Services (AIS) joined with community partners to identify the needed resources and supports, resulting in the development of the PIC Program.