In-Home Services Options

In-home services include a wide variety of services provided to persons who require some assistance in meeting their daily needs at home. These services can be provided in order to allow someone to remain independent or as an alternative to nursing home care. In-home services fall under two categories, skilled care and supportive services.

Skilled care refers to care provided under the direction of a physician. The certified home health agency in each county can provide skilled nursing care for Medicare, Medicaid and private insurance reimbursement.

If you need skilled nursing care in your home for the treatment of an illness or injury, Medicare or Medicaid may pay for covered home health services with a certified provider. A care plan must be approved by your physician. Medicare covered home health services include:

Part-time skilled nursing care and home health aide

Physical / Occupational / Speech Therapy

Durable Medical Equipment (80% of approved amount)

Medical social services

Medical supplies

Hospice services

SUPPORTIVE IN-HOME SERVICES

Supportive services refers to assistance with personal needs such as bathing, dressing, fixing a meal, chores, shopping and light housekeeping.

Personal Care: Dressing, Bathing, Grooming

If you are already receiving skilled nursing services from your home health agency you may be eligible for personal care services provided by the same home health agency. Medicare may pay for these services. If you are not eligible for Medicare covered home health services but need personal care services, private pay services may be available from home health agencies and other private registries of health care professionals.

If you are over 60, homebound, and unable to prepare your own meals, you may be eligible for Meals on Wheels. Depending on where you live, Meals on Wheels can provide you with at least one hot or frozen meal per day and are offered on a donation basis.

Light Housekeeping / Chores

Housekeeping through the Homemaker Program is available on a sliding scale basis from your home health agency. Many of these programs have waiting lists for services. Local telephone directories will list cleaning services which may give special discounts for seniors. You may be able to get volunteer help for chores such as spring cleaning, leaf raking, and window washing.

Medical Lifeline: Emergency alert system designed to call help immediately in the event of falls, accidents, medical or other emergencies.

Transportation may be available for medical appointments, shopping, and banking if you have no other means of transport. Advance notice is usually required.

Caregiver Respite: When caregivers need a break.

Respite care is available through Adult Day programs which offer one or several days a week of activities for frail elders, or elders with dementia. Respite care may also be provided by hiring individual caregivers to come into the home. Senior Companions or volunteer visitors may also serve in this capacity. When caregivers need respite for long periods of time (vacations, business trips), Residential Care Homes may be able to offer space on a daily or weekly basis.

Assistive Technology

Special adaptations may be made to your home and living environment to allow you to remain independent and safe in your own home. This may range from a complex renovation like a wheelchair ramp to the simple addition of grab bars in your bathroom. For more information contact:

Vermont Home and Community Based Medicaid Waiver Program

More and more people are looking into the option of receiving community-based care even though they are nursing home eligible. Medicaid eligible people may be able to receive help paying for this care through the Vermont Home and Community Based Medicaid Waiver program. Individuals must meet the income and resource requirements for Long Term Care Medicaid. This program provides:

Assistance with the application for the Medicaid Waiver program can be obtained through the CVAA or the Home Health Agencies.