Consumer Preferences for a Cash Option Versus Traditional Services

Abstract

The Cash and Counseling Demonstration and Evaluation (CCDE) is a policy-driven evaluation of the basic belief that most people, including the elderly, want a say in matters that affect their daily lives. The evaluation is comparing cost, quality, and satisfaction of consumers receiving traditional personal care services with those receiving a consumer-directed cash benefit and information services. This article presents results from a telephone survey conducted as background research to assess the preferences of elders and adults with disabilities for a cash option versus traditional services in New Jersey, one CCDE demonstration state. This preference study provides information about consumer perceptions and attitudes, need for help or training with service management tasks, and outreach messages to emphasize when promoting a consumer-directed cash option.