Is Home Care the Right Choice?« Top

While there are many times one might consider home care, two basic situations hold especially true:

• When a person of any age is being discharged from the hospital and may need short-term care to recover
• When an older adult, disabled or chronically ill individual begins to need nursing care or personal assistance to help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, cooking or shopping

If you are considering home care as an option for your loved one, begin to educate yourself now about the agencies, services, and payment options available to you. When the day comes that your loved one needs help, you will be ready to provide quick assistance.

Where Do I Begin In Trying To Find Help At Home?« Top

It can seem intimidating to begin searching for a home care agency, but knowing how to begin can make the process much easier. Here are some simple steps to follow when looking for an agency:

• Before you call, gather all the information you can about the person in need of care, including previous care, medical providers, financial resources and any pertinent information about the current situation.
• Contact reliable sources, such as the State Health Department and County Offices on Aging, for information about the home care agencies in the community.
• Discuss your situation with a nurse at any agency you contact to better understand your options. Each agency should help you determine what type of care the person needs, based on the situation and your family circumstances.
• Ask about any special programs, such as Alzheimer’s care, that may be available to fit your situation.

Specific Questions to Ask a Potential Home Care Provider« Top

• How long has the organization been serving the community?
• Is the home care agency licensed or certified by the state?
• Is the agency accredited? Accreditation means an agency has met established quality standards set by the national accrediting body.
• What level of care does the agency provide (companionship only, homemaking, personal care services, nursing)?
• Does the agency provide literature explaining services and fees?
• Do registered nurses evaluate a person’s home care needs?
• How often do they visit their patients in the home?
• How does the agency select and train their employees?
• How does the agency check the background and experience of their employees?
• Are the employees certified or licensed by the state?
• Are home care aides supervised by a registered nurse in the home? How often?
• How is the plan of care documented? Does it detail the specific tasks to be carried out by each aide or nurse?
• Does the agency include the patient and his or her family members in developing or changing the plan of care?
• What steps does the agency take to oversee the quality of care?
• Who is the contact person if there is a problem?

Payment Options« Top

While there are a variety of home care payment options available, many families are surprised by the restrictions on governmental and insurance resources. Most home care providers can assist you in finding the right payment source. Here, however, are some basic options:

• Medicare: Most Americans over age 65 are eligible for the federal Medicare program, and some under age 65 are eligible because of a disability. However, eligibility for home care services is limited and usually covers only short-term rehabilitative needs, not chronic or long term care. End of life care through hospice is also covered. To be eligible to accept Medicare payment, an agency must meet certain federal guidelines and be certified to provide skilled nursing services. This program will not pay for personal care or homemaker services alone.
• Medicaid: Medicaid is a joint federal-state medical assistance program for low-income individuals. To be eligible for Medicaid payment, an agency must meet certain state guidelines. Some personal care services must be approved in advance by the local department of social services.
• Health Insurance: Commercial health insurance policies normally include a home health benefit covering services similar to the Medicare program for acute or rehabilitative needs. Most plans will also cover hospice services.
• Long-Term Care Insurance: Long-term care insurance is becoming an increasingly popular way for individuals to prepare for the eventual need of long-term care services. Home care benefits vary among plans.
• Self-pay: Individuals may also pay directly for services. Fees vary based on the level of care provided.

Employers Resources – Helping Working Caregivers« Top

As a community agency, Home Aides of Central New York is here to help caregivers, especially the many working caregivers, in our community understand their options and obtain the services they need to support them in this difficult role.

Did you know?

• The MetLife Caregiving Cost Study, released by the National Alliance for Caregiving and MetLife in 2006, revealed there are over 15 million employed American caregivers (those who provide care for an adult family member or friend age 18 and older who are employed full-time).
• A key finding of the study is that the stresses of caregiving result in employee absenteeism, tardiness, unexpected departures and distractions from work that cost employers $17.1 billion each year.

If you are a Central New York employer and would be interested in the following free services for your employees, please contact us.

Services to Employers:

• Informational brochures for working caregivers
• Informational presentations for interested employees at your organization or business
• Quarterly caregiver articles for use in your employee newsletter

Other Resources« Top

Below are additional resources that may help: