CAP/DA

CAP/DA stands for Community Alternatives Program for Disabled Adults. CAP/DA is an alternative to nursing home care for adults who:

  • are 18 and over
  • live in Wake County
  • require nursing home level care
  • are at risk of nursing home placement if they don't get community-based care
  • meet strict financial eligibility criteria

CAP/DA is an extension of Medicaid, and as such is intended for individuals who have very limited financial resources. Eligibility for CAP/DA differs from regular Medicaid in several important ways, however. Most significantly, CAP/DA eligibility is determined by the income and assets of the client only (not the spouse or other family members).

For those who qualify, CAP/DA provides extensive home and community-based services, which may include some services not covered by regular Medicaid, such as:

  • adult day programs
  • more extensive home care (but not 24-hour care)
  • supplies such as incontinence products and nutritional supplements

To apply for or make a referral to CAP/DA, the client, family member, or professional (often a social worker or physical therapist) should call Resources for Seniors (919-872-7933) and ask for the Information Department, or complete our online Speed Referral form. Information required to complete the application includes the client's Medicaid number (if already on Medicaid), Social Security number, monthly income, primary physician's name and phone number, and client's diagnosis, as well as information about their needs for assistance.

Providing this information allows our intake staff to generate a request for service. Once that is done, the client's physician must complete a form documenting the need for nursing home level services. If this documentation is acceptable, the client will then be placed on the CAP/DA waiting list.

Because of limited funding, the wait may be as long as 18-24 months or possibly longer. The waiting list is first-come, first-served. No exceptions are made based on the severity of need. The only possible exception is when the client has already been residing in a nursing home for at least 3 continuous months and wants to return to a community setting; such clients may be given higher priority based on a different funding source.

When an opening becomes available, the application is evaluated further. If the client qualifies financially, care needs are evaluated through a home visit and a physician must again document the level of care required. If the client's level of need is deemed appropriate for CAP/DA services, the client enters the program. A case manager is assigned to assist the client in getting the services they need and monitoring the care that is provided as needs change.