Frequently-Asked Questions

Is this program a good fit for me?
People Incorporated Epilepsy and Mental Health Services was created for people who have seizures that are difficult to control. Many of our participants are volunteers in drug studies and are taking the newest anti-seizure medications. Many people are in their early to mid-twenties and most come to us from their parents’ home. This is not a program for people with mental retardation—participants generally have average intelligence and have completed high school.

Will I meet other people like me?
We guarantee that you will meet others who have been through some of the same hard times with their epilepsy that you have. We have lots of social activities and participants meet to plan new activities. You are not required to attend any of these, but they’re a great way to meet people.

How will I get to the doctor’s office or the grocery store?
There are four public bus lines that run near The Cedars as well as the Hiawatha Light Rail line—you can get anywhere in the metro area by bus or taxicab. If you are new to using public transportation, our staff will ride with you until you no longer want or need support. There are grocery stores, pharmacies, doctors’ offices, banks, movie theaters and restaurants all within walking distance.

How will I pay for medical bills? What if I have a large spend-down on Medical Assistance?
It can be difficult to get health insurance if you have a seizure disorder, but our staff are trained to help you. Minnesota has many options now: MinnesotaCare, General Assistance Medical Care (GAMC), Medical Assistance (MA) as well as Minnesota Comprehensive Health Insurance (MCHA). Your choices depend on whether you are working, your disability status, and whether you are living with your family or not. We will discuss options with you and see what is possible.

What about paying my bills and understanding government forms? Can you help with this?
Most people participating in our programs rely on a combination of money they earn and government assistance. Learning how to balance work and SSI or RSDI benefits is an art in itself. We will walk you through all the steps, help you fill out the forms, and work with you to make sure your rent, phone and other bills get paid.

Do you help people get jobs or go to school?
Our staff help people learn about job resources, help them get to appointments  or job fairs, and follow through with their school and job counselors.

Why do you monitor medications?
Helping people take charge of their seizures by becoming self-reliant with medical care is one of our main goals. Even having one or two seizures a year can affect a person’s ability to maintain a driver’s license or feel comfortable going out in the community. Unfortunately, it’s fairly common for individuals with epilepsy to have difficulty remembering to take their medications or to take them on time. We are involved in monitoring medications because this is one of the most important skills a person with epilepsy can learn.

We match the level of monitoring with each person’s skills. Some people need reminders to take every dose, while others just need help to order and pick up refills on time. How long a person works with us on medication-monitoring goals depends on how quickly he or she becomes self-reliant.

How often will I meet with staff?
In order to provide enough support and training, our staff need to meet with you several times each week for the first few months, and then weekly as you get closer to graduation. During these meetings you talk about how you are doing and about achieving your goals. Meeting times are flexible.

What is a daily check-in?
During the first month, participants in the Transitions program will be asked to check in with our staff every day so that they get an idea of your seizure frequency. Most people will check in only for the first 30 days they are receiving services—and it can be as simple as a phone call saying you are all right. We are not interested in prying into your personal life. Some people who have frequent seizure-related injuries choose to have daily contact after their first 30 days.

What is an Individual Training Plan (ITP)? 
Individual Training Plans are a list of each person’s goals and objectives—you and your counselor will review and update them every three months. We tailor ITPs to your strengths and needs based on the initial Independent Living Skills Assessment that we do when you start one of our programs. The ITP is a written agreement about what you and your counselor will work on during the quarter.