Parent Care Blog
Elderly woman is helped at the grocery store.

Who Qualifies for In-Home Health Services?

Aging, disabled, chronically ill people and those recovering from illnesses or injuries may need help completing daily tasks to remain living independently. But there are a few things required of people living in New York to qualify for in-home health services. If you live in Brooklyn or the Bronx, then knowing these requirements can help you qualify for the in-home support you need.

Who Qualifies for In-Home Health Services in New York, Brooklyn, and the Bronx?

To qualify for in-home health services in New York, you must meet two main requirements. The first requirement is associated with your insurance coverage. In New York, you must meet the qualifications for Medicaid or have active Medicaid coverage to receive in-home health services. This requirement is because many private insurance plans will not pay for in-home care and because people who have low income may not have access to care without this coverage.

The second requirement you must meet is needing assistance to complete ADLs. This requirement will be approved during an interview with you and a review of your medical documents, as well as your individual living situation. Clients who are unable to work or who live with people who are unable to provide assistance for ADLs are typically qualified for in-home support.

What Are ADLs?

ALD stands for Activities of Daily Living, which are the basic activities that constitute independent living. People who are disabled, aging, or chronically ill typically need help completing ADLs due to physical inability, memory trouble, or other concerns. Although family members or other people living in the home may be able to assist with some ADLs, most people who require in-home care do not have the additional support required to complete ADLs independently.

ADLs are important because they cover basic living requirements, such as shopping, eating, and hygiene tasks. People who are unable to complete ADLs independently and who do not have in-home support can suffer from health issues, like malnourishment or ulcers. The inability to complete ADLs can also lower the quality of life for some people. The most common ADLs a caregiver assists with include:

Hygiene and Toileting

Daily hygiene refers to tasks such as washing the face, brushing the teeth, combing the hair, and bathing. Most daily hygiene tasks are done to help the skin and teeth be healthy, as well as to maintain the cleanliness of the client and the client’s home. Many clients have difficulty completing daily hygiene by themselves or without reminders.

Similarly, toileting is another daily need that some clients cannot meet by themselves, particularly those who have urinary or bowel incontinence. A caregiver can help with toileting by helping the client get to the toilet, cleaning the client after using the toilet, and looking after assistance instruments such as bedside commodes. Toileting can also refer to helping the client change adult underpants regularly.

Dressing

Dressing every day can be difficult for clients who have mobility issues or who are physically disabled. Caregivers help with dressing by assisting the client in gathering clothes and helping the client change into clothing. Dressing may also refer to helping the client put on compression socks or helping a client dress for outdoor weather.

Transfers and Mobility

In-home health aides commonly help disabled clients, elderly clients, and ill or injured clients with transfers and mobility within the home. Transfers are a task that refers to helping the client transfer their body from a bed to a chair or a chair to a bed. Often, transfers are supervised for clients who are prone to falling.

Similarly, mobility is the way a client moves in the home, with or without an assistive device. Mobility can also be supervised outside of the home, such as on a walk or at an appointment. Mobility supervision is common in patients who have trouble balancing or walking.

Shopping

Some clients will need help with basic shopping, such as for food or household cleaners. A caregiver may be tasked with shopping for the client and then bringing goods home or taking a client to the store and helping the client shop in person. Shopping can be a significant task since many clients are unable to carry goods into their homes themselves.

Housework

Many clients are unable to complete basic housework, such as vacuuming, cleaning floors, cleaning common areas like the bathroom or the kitchen, dusting, and more. Caregivers often complete housework to ensure that the client’s home is a clean space that will facilitate healing and good quality of life. One of the most common housework tasks is completing laundry, including bedding.

Appointments

Clients may also need help getting to appointments on time or communicating with doctors. Many caregivers are authorized to escort clients to appointments and may even sit in with the client during the appointment if a family member is not available. An escort to an appointment in a busy metropolitan area can be difficult to complete for clients who have physical challenges.

Medication Management

The last ADL is medication management. Caregivers are tasked with making sure clients take the correct medications correctly and on time every day. Some clients may be unable to open prescription bottles or may simply forget to take medications on time, which can be detrimental to the health of the client. A caregiver will be a safety net to ensure medications are managed correctly and as prescribed by a physician.

How Are ADLs Assigned?

In general, the ADLs that a caregiver is tasked to complete for or with the client are determined by the client’s individualized care plan. The care plan will be outlined by the client’s unique needs, both physical and medical. Additionally, the degree of assistance given by the caregiver for ADLs will also be outlined by the care plan.

What Are the Benefits of In-Home Health Services?

Using in-home health services to help take care of an elderly, disabled, injured, or chronically ill loved one can be hugely beneficial. One of the biggest benefits is the reassurance that the client will be taken care of for important daily tasks, just as eating and hygiene. Family members who live out of state, at another residence, or who simply do not have the time to provide daily care can rest assured that their loved ones will be given the assistance they need to have a good quality of life.

The other benefit of hiring in-home support is the benefit to the client. Many clients wish to remain living at home to maintain a sense of independence, but if a client is unable to complete ADLs, their quality of living may not be adequate. In-home support assists the client in their desire to stay at home rather than a nursing facility, which often improves the client’s quality of life and sense of well-being. The psychological benefit of independent living is perhaps the biggest benefit for hiring in-home care.

In-home support from a caregiver can be instrumental in helping aging, disabled, and chronically ill people feel more hopeful about their conditions and challenges. To qualify for a home health aide, a client must qualify or have active Medicaid coverage in New York, as well as need assistance completing Activities of Daily Living. For more information about how to qualify for in-home health services, contact Parent Care today.

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