What are home care services?
Home care services help individuals with functional or physical limitations live safely in their own homes. Services range from supportive services to medical services such as nursing and health related therapies. Home care services vary greatly based on one's functional ability and need. Services can be provided for a few days or weeks while recovering from an injury or illness. Or, in some cases, for many years.
What services are generally offered?
Personal Care Services provide assistance to people in their homes who need help with everyday activities. These activities may include bathing, using the toilet, and dressing, eating, and moving back and forth from bed to chair, walking and grooming. Help with routine tasks such as housekeeping, meal preparation, shopping and laundry is also available. Home health care services include health assessments, education about health-related topics, wound care, operating medical equipment like IVs, and giving medication. Care is provided in your home by a licensed nurse or other health professionals. Some providers offer physical, occupational, speech, and respiratory therapies. Providers may also enlist the help of a home health aide who can provide help with personal care such as bathing and toileting. Most home health care agencies will arrange for installation of safety devices such as grab bars in a shower. They can also help you obtain medical equipment such as a hospital bed or oxygen tank.
How do I choose home care services?
A person must meet certain conditions to be eligible for home care services. For some of the services you may need to meet medical and financial requirements. The authorization process may include orders from your health-care provider. A complete assessment will help determine the best services for you. There are many different programs and agencies that provide home care. We encourage you to talk to a local NY Connects staff person to help you find the b