We offer a system of home care services that recognizes the dignity of the person and enhances the quality of life for both older adults and those with special needs. We are committed to allowing the client an opportunity to "Age in Place" in the comfort of their home as long as medically possible. Our home care service encourages a safe, nurturing, independent life style.

Q: My loved one is currently in need of home care but is unable to pay out of pocket .  We have talked about placement in a home, but do not look forward to or like the idea of doing this.  Are there any other options available and can your agency help us?

- John, Geneva, NY

 

 

A:There are programs available to assist you.  If your mom is eligible for Medicaid one of the options you can look into is the Nursing Home Transition and Diversion waiver.  This waiver provides in home care to those that are looking at placement or currently in a facility and want to return home.  In your case the waiver may or may not be able to help you and this depends on a number of different factors.  First off your mother would need to be eligible for Medicaid.   Secondly, it is helpful if there is natural supports in place to help care for your mom.  What this means is that you or someone else in your family must be available to care for your mom when home care services are not there.  In some cases HCSS, or home and community support staff, may be with a participant for many hours during the day, others only a couple hours a week, it really depends on the needs of the participant and the ability of the family to help with those needs.  Lastly, and this one may be the most difficult to understand, your mother must be considered part of an aggregate group that can be cared for at less cost in the community than a similar group in a nursing home.  In some cases it may be more expensive to care for your mom at home than it would be in the facility and she still may covered as long as the care for others like her is lower in cost.  Being able to assist in the care of your mother can significantly help.

The NHTD waiver is only one program that may be able to help, and there are other options available.  The process for getting approved under the waiver can be lengthy so the sooner you start the process the sooner you can start getting help.

 

Al Gauvin - President, CCOR - Companion Care of Rochester