What are in-home services?

Home care services vary greatly based on one's level and types of need. A worker may perform household tasks such as cleaning and shopping, or drive a client to doctors' appointments. It can also be assistance with daily tasks such as dressing, eating, and toileting. In-home services may be for a few days or for many years. 

The following are examples of services that may be available through the aging network.

1.    Chore - Providing assistance to persons having difficulty with one or more of the following instrumental activities of daily living: heavy housework, yard work or sidewalk maintenance.

2.    Home Delivered Meals  - Provision, to an eligible client or other eligible participant at the client’s place of residence

3.    Homemaker— Provide assistance to persons with the inability to perform one or more of the following instrumental activities of daily living: preparing meals, shopping for personal items, managing money, using the telephone or doing light housework.

4.    Personal Care—Providing personal assistance, stand-by assistance, supervision or cues for persons with the inability to perform with one or more of the following activities of daily living: eating, dressing, bathing, toileting, transferring in and out of bed/chair or walking.

5.    Sitter Services:   A supervisory and companion service provided in a home setting to ensure the health and safety of the individual.  It includes observing, conversing, providing food for the individual, etc

6.    Respite Services  - Provides a temporary break in the tasks of care-giving and offer information, education and other supportive services. There are three (3) types of respite available:

          i.     In-home respite which provides services in the home of the qualifying individual. 

        ii.    Group respite – an Adult day services program to provide a temporary break in the task of care giving.

       iii.    Institutional respite – a temporary living arrangement in an institution such as a hospital, nursing facility, or group home.

Other services available through other resources:

1.            Several types of Medicaid Waiver Programs are available and for http://www.dhh.louisiana.gov/index.cfm/page/234

Community Choices Waiver– this provides services for a qualified individual in their home.  Currently there is a waiting list for these waivers but call

New Opportunity Waiver (NOW) - NOW services include residential support, respite, community integration and development, work-related supports, habilitation, environmental modifications and specialized equipment, professional services, as well as other services. Services are based on the need of the recipient and are developed using a person centered process. The person-centered process coordinated by the case manager will formulate an individualized plan for each recipient. NOW services are provided as a supplement to regular Medicaid State Plan services and natural supports. NOW should not be viewed as a lifetime entitlement or a fixed annual allocation

The demand for NOW services is high and applicants must have a qualifying developmental disability and contact their local Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities (OCDD) regional office for more information regarding qualifying and applying for this waiver.  The following link will connect you with a listing of the regional offices http://www.dhh.louisiana.gov/index.cfm/page/134/n/137

Children’s Choice Waiver:  This offers supplemental support to children with developmental disabilities who currently live at home with their families or with a foster family. Waiver participants are eligible for all medically necessary Medicaid services, including Early Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment (EPSDT) screenings. This waiver package is designed for maximum flexibility.  Additional information may be found on who is covered and how to apply at the following link http://www.dhh.louisiana.gov/index.cfm/page/218

2.            Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE)- coordinates and provides all needed preventive, primary healthy, acute and long term care services so that older adults can continue living in the community while enhancing their quality of life.  This program provides services across all care settings on a 24 hour basis each day of the year. 

Eligible candidates must be a minimum of 55 years old, live in a PACE provider area, be certified to qualify for nursing home level of care, and be eligible for Medicaid. 

For more information contact PACE in New Orleans 504-945-1531

or PACE in Baton Rouge 225 490-0604