PCA's & Married Life

Posted by Megan Drummond Aug 13, 2008

My husband has been my primary care attendant since we moved in together four years ago, including the duration of our engagement. I changed my last name after the wedding a month ago and, suddenly, it's not allowed anymore.'s

In a way, I can understand the agency's reasoning, as I'm sure many married couples can. They don't want to be taken advantage of by people who just want the money.

In a way, I can't understand the agency's reasonng, as I'm sure many married couples can't. Your spouse is, more often than not, the one who is with you the most. I know mine is. He's the one who does all the things that my aide isn't here long enough to do.

Theoretically, I could get my PCA to stay longer or to come back in periodically throughout the day/night to do all the little things I need help with that my husband does. But I am fairly independent and don't want an aide around all day, especially when I am working or Ian and I are watching TV or a movie, etc. I am certain that many others are in the same situation.

Mothers, fathers, sisters and brothers are allowed to be PCA's. That wasn't allowed when I started receiving attendant care. Live-in attendants also weren't allowed. My service coordinator told me that the agency was trying to change this rule.

I'll keep you posted and let you know if it gets changed.