In-Home Care
 "I love being able to stay in my own home. It means something to my heart." - Ruth receives in-home care through the Hamilton County Elderly Services Program |
Home care is a simple phrase that encompasses a wide range of health and social services. These services are delivered at home to people who are recovering, aged, disabled or chronically or terminally ill. Services include medical, nursing, social, or therapeutic treatment, and/or help with essential activities of daily living.
Programs help pay for in-home services for those who are eligible. These programs help older adults stay safe and independent in their own home. They supplement care already provided by a family caregiver.
Who can benefit from home care?
A person who …
- can be discharged from a hospital or nursing facility, but needs additional care at home.
- needs short-term help at home because of outpatient surgery.
- needs additional help to live independently due to illness, disability, or aging.
- has a chronic condition such as heart disease or diabetes
- is terminally ill and wants to spend his or her remaining time in the dignity and comfort of home
Generally, home care is appropriate whenever a person prefers to stay home, but needs ongoing care that cannot be provided by family and friends alone. Most people prefer this option over institutional care, if possible.
Activities of Daily Living
What are ADLs and IADLs?
ADLs are Activities of Daily Living. These include: bathing, dressing, grooming, walking, getting in/out of bed, chair or tub, eating, and using the toilet.
IADLs are Instrumental Activities of Daily Living. They include: shopping, meal preparation, house cleaning, heavy chores, laundry, telephoning, transportation, handling legal or financial matters, and managing medication.
To determine whether a person is eligible for home care servcies, agencies such as Council on Aging measure a person's ability to perform ADLs and IADLs. To enroll in COA home care programs, a person must be impaired in ADLs and IADLs.
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Types of home care services
Services fall into two categories: 1) skilled and 2) home support or custodial care.
Skilled Services
Skilled services are a higher level of care. They are usually provided by trained medical professionals. These services include:
- skilled nursing services
- physical, occupational, and speech therapy
Home Support/Custodial Intermediate Care Services
Custodial care does not require specialized training or services. Custodial care may include any of the following:
- Companion Services - provides socialization.
- Chore or Environmental Services - pest control, waste removal and heavy cleaning.
- Emergency Response Systems - 24 hour a day protection for emergency response and medication administration.
- Home Medical Equipment and Supplies
- Home-delivered Meals - one chilled, hot or frozen meal delivered to the home for those homebound, age 60 or over, who are unable to prepare a meal or grocery shop.
- Home Modification and Repair - installing safety improvements, such as grab bars, ramps or dead bolt locks, and repairs such as new steps, roof or furnace.
- Homemaker Services - help with meal preparation, shopping, light housekeeping, and laundry.
- Independent Living Assistance - assistance with finances, personal business and telephone support.
- Nutrition Counseling - diet and nutrition instruction.
- Personal Care Services - help with bathing, dressing, and grooming.
- Respite for Caregivers - time off for the primary caregiver.
- Social Work Counseling - dealing with issues and problems.
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Who provides home care?
Home Health Agencies (HHA): People who need skilled home care services usually receive their care from a Home Health Agency. The term Home Health Agency often indicates that a home care provider is certified by Medicare, but this is not always the case. A Medicare-certified agency has met federal minimum requirements for patient care and management and can provide Medicare and Medicaid home health services.
Homemaker and Home Care Aide Agency: These agencies employ homemakers or home care aides and companions who provide meal preparation, bathing, dressing, and housekeeping. Some states require these agencies to be licensed and meet minimum standards established by the state. Ohio has no licensure law for these agencies. Some agencies receive certification (not licensure) from the Ohio Department of Health. These certified agencies can bill Medicare and Medicaid for the care they provide. All home care providers that have contracts with Council on Aging (COA) must comply with "Conditions of Participation" in order to provide service for COA clients. COA providers are also surveyed once a year to determine how well they comply with these quality standards.
Home Medical Equipment Company: These companies provide home care clients with products such as wheelchairs, walkers, catheters, and wound care supplies. Home medical equipment and supply companies are required to meet federal minimum standards if they are paid through Medicare.
Hospice: Hospice care involves a team of skilled professionals and volunteers who provide comprehensive medical, psychological, and spiritual care for terminally ill patients and their families. Hospice care also provides related medications, medical supplies, and equipment. It is based primarily in the home, so it helps families stay together. Most hospices are Medicare-certified and licensed according to state requirements. Payment for hospice care is available as a benefit under Medicare, Medicaid and most private insurance companies. For a list of hospice agencies, click here or call: Council on Aging at 513-721-1025
Pharmaceutical and Infusion Therapy Companies: These companies specialize in the delivery of drugs, equipment, and professional services for people who need intravenous or tube feedings. These companies employ pharmacists who prepare solutions and arrange for delivery to patients. Some pharmaceutical and infusion therapy companies are home health agencies, certified by Medicare. In addition, some states require these organizations to be licensed.
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Home care programs and services
The following programs and services provide in-home care to help caregivers.
Council on Aging of Southwestern Ohio
(513) 721-1025
(800) 252-0155
175 Tri County Parkway
Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Catholic Charities SouthWestern Ohio
513-241-7745
100 East 8th Street
Cincinnati, OH 45202
- Home and personal care.
- Senior Companion Program: places trained volunteers with older adults who need some help. The companions help with personal care, meals, and home management, in addition to accompanying the senior on visits to doctors and clinics. Senior Companion volunteers receive a tax-free stipend and reimbursement for transportation, uniforms, insurance, and other expenses. The Senior Companion Program is funded by the Corporation for National Service and the Ohio Department of Aging.
- In-home counseling: Professional counseling for people who are elderly, disabled, or homebound.
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Clermont Senior Services, Inc.
513-724-1255
2085 James E. Sauls Senior Drive
Batavia, OH 45103
Clermont Senior Services, Inc. provides services to help senior citizens remain active and independent.
- Services include: Meals-on-Wheels, Transportation, Home Care, Adult Day/Special Needs, Case Management, Adult Protective Services, Home Repair Services, Senior Centers, and Health Screening and Education.
- Service Eligibility Requirements: Age 60 or over, Resident of Clermont County.
- No income restrictions.
- Donations are requested.
Long-Term Care (LTC) Insurance
Insurance that protects a person's assets by providing payment towards the expense of long-term care. The insured pays a premium to protect assets in the event of an unaffordable catastrophic event. Depending on the policy, payment can be made for services provided in a nursing home, assisted living setting, or at home. Click here for more information about LTC insurance.
Medicare Home Health Care
Skilled services provided by a Medicare Certified Home Health Agency. The services must fit the following guidelines:
- Must be ordered by the physician.
- Must require intermittent skilled nursing, physical, speech or ongoing occupational therapy.
- Visits are provided to a Medicare beneficiary who is homebound.
To find a Medicare certified agency talk to your physician, a hospital social worker or care coordinator, or obtain a reference from a friend.
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National Association for Home Care and Hospice
202-547-7424
228 Seventh Street, SE
Washington, DC 20003
Ohio Council for Home Care
614-885-0434
1395 E. Dublin-Granville Road, Suite 350
Columbus, OH 43229
PACE
Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly, or PACE, is a managed care model that provides participants with all of their needed health care, medical care and ancillary services in acute, sub-acute, institutional and community settings. Services include primary and specialty care, adult day health services, personal care services, inpatient hospital, prescription drug, occupational and physical therapies and nursing home care.
Cincinnati is one of two cities in Ohio to offer the PACE program. In Cincinnati, the program is managed by TriHealth Senior Link. To be eligible for PACE, participants must be age 55 or older, live in Hamilton County or select zipcodes in other counties (see below). Participants also must need an intermediate or skilled level of care and be willing to receive all of their care from PACE program providers. In addition, participants must be able to remain safely in a community setting at the time of initial enrollment.
Participants must live in Hamilton County or within specific zip codes in other counties:
- Butler: 45014, 45015, 45069, 45241
- Clermont: 45140, 45150, 45244, 45245, 45255
- Warren: 45039, 45040, 45140
For more information about PACE:
TriHealth Senior Link
4750 Wesley Ave., Suite J
Cincinnati, OH 45212
(513) 531-5110
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PHC Foundation
513-662-8999
3808 Applegate Avenue
Cincinnati, Ohio 45211
info@privatehcfoundation.org
The PHC Foundation provides a full range of health and home care services to clients in the privacy of their own homes. Certified Nurses Aides and Home Health Aides assist with meal preparation, medication reminders, laundry, bathing and companionship—under direct supervision of a Registered Nurse. PHC Foundation is designed to help those who are unable to afford the home health care they need. Subsidized care is available to those who cannot maintain an independent life without assistance.
Privately Paid Services
Health and home care can be paid for directly by an individual or a family member. Most agencies will bill privately; some are certified to bill Medicare or Medicaid for services rendered. Services provided privately include: personal care; respite; adult day care; transportation; homemaking; and companion services, to name a few.
To locate home care agencies in your area:
- call Council on Aging, 513-345-8643, for a list of our contracted
home health providers in Butler, Clermont, Clinton, Hamilton, and
Warren Counties
- ask your physician for a referral or consult a hospital discharge planner
- contact the Ohio Department of Health for a list of certified agencies
TriHealth Navigator for Senior Services
513-569-6200
One phone call to TriHealth Navigator for Senior Services is a free, comprehensive resource for Cincinnati's older adults, their families and caregivers. TriHealth health professionals work with you to locate and arrange for the most appropriate support.
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Resolving a home care problem
If you invest some time and find out about home care agencies before beginning services you will most likely receive high-quality home care that is safe and effective. If a problem develops, however, or you would like to file a complaint, notify the home care agency's manager or administrator, or contact the Pro Seniors Ombudsman or the State of Ohio's Home Health Hotline.
Pro Seniors Ombudsman
513-345-4160
800-488-6070
7162 Reading Road, Suite 1150
Cincinnati, OH 45237
The Long-Term Care Ombudsman is a representative who is authorized by federal and state law to help peole with questions and problems relating to long-term care: nursing homes, assisted living, home care and adult care homes. The Ombudsman serves the state of Ohio.
Ohio Department of Health
Home Health Care Complaint Hotline
800-342-0553
614-466-3534
246 North High Street, 2nd Floor
Columbus, OH 43215
Fax: 614-728-9169
E-mail: HCComplaints@odh.ohio.gov
Division of Quality Assurance, Bureau of Community Health Care Facilities & Services
Medicare/Medicaid Certification 614-995-7466
Nurse Aide Registry 614-752-9500
Nurse Aide Testing 877-851-2355
OASIS Hotline 614-466-0190
Council on Aging of Southwestern Ohio
Home-care programs administered by Council in Aging are subject to a systematic quality improvement monitoring system. Click here to learn more about COA's Quality Improvement Process.
*Information about Home Health Care is from the National Association for Home Care.
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