Caregiving Services

CAREGIVING SERVICES

PAYING FOR PRIVATE HOME CARE AND ADULT DAY CARE

Medicaid Waivers:

CCSP and SOURCE are Medicaid Waiver Programs that pay for private in-home care, adult daycare, home-delivered frozen meals, fall buttons and more. You must be a senior age 65+ OR be classified as disabled by social security and receive a disability check to qualify for these services. You must also have a physical impairment that requires caregiving help.

SOURCE is only available to people receiving SSI disability and SSI Medicaid as well as people receiving Aged, Blind or Disabled (ABD) Medicaid.

You can apply for SOURCE through Next Step Care www.nextstepcare.org (888) 762-2420

CCSP is available to people who have limited income and resources. You will be expected to pay for part of your services "cost-share" unless you are very low-income (under around $800 per month).

You can apply for CCSP through the Northeast Georgia Area Agency on Aging: www.negrc.org/aging (706) 583-2546

VA Aid and Attendance Benefit

Veterans who served at least 90 consecutive days in the armed forces, were honorably discharged, and served even one day active duty during war may be eligible for home aide services through the VA if they are 65 or older or have physical disabilities. This program is called Aid and Attendance. Qualifying spouses and widows of veterans may also qualify. Learn more about this benefit here: www.va.gov/pension/aid-attendance-housebound

PRIVATE HOME CARE

Personal care includes help with things like remembering medications, monitoring nutrition, assistance with eating, bathing, grooming, toileting and diapers, dressing, and light housekeeping. Companion care includes help with transportation, errands, social activities, meal preparation and household tasks. These services are provided by home health aides, also called personal care workers or attendants.

Unlike skilled home health services (mentioned below), personal care and companion care are typically not covered by insurance and are paid for out of pocket.

You may choose to pay an individual to care for your family, or you can use a licensed agency. Care by a private individual is usually less expensive, but you would need to do you own background check. Personal care agencies are more expensive, but do their own background checks and are usually licensed, bonded and insured. Services provided through private home care agency typically range from $18-22 per hour, depending on the level of care needed.

However some long-term care insurance policies, certain Medicaid waiver programs (CCSP & SOURCE) and some VA benefits (Aid and Attendance) may help pay for these services.

Local private home care agencies include:

Because We Care 4126 Robinson Street, Covington, GA 30014 (770) 385-0300 www.becausewecare.net

Right At Home 2131 Pace Street, Covington, GA 30014 (678) 712-6636 www.raheastatl.com

Tender Loving Care 8230 Hazelbrand Road, Suite B, Covington, GA 30014 (678) 625-7166 www.tlchomecare.biz

Visiting Angels 1119 Church St #B, Covington, GA 30014 (770) 788-1739 www.visitingangels.com

QUESTIONS TO ASK WHEN CHOOSING A PERSONAL CARE AGENCY:

• Is the agency licensed?

• What background checks does the agency do on its caregivers?

• Are caregivers bonded and insured?

• How are your caregivers trained?

• How long have most of your caregivers been employed with you?

• What makes your agency special?

ADULT DAY CARE

Adult Day Care facilities offer out-of-home care for patients, often when families are at work. Adult Day Cares provide meals and snacks, social interaction and activities and help with personal care such as grooming and using the toilet.

Adult Day Cares are typically not covered by insurance and are paid for out of pocket. Services typically range from $25-100 per day, depending on the level of care needed.

However, some long-term care insurance policies, certain Medicaid waiver programs (CCSP & SOURCE) and some VA benefits (Aid and Attendance) may help pay for these services.

Local adult day cares include:

The Oaks at Ashton Hills 10050 Eagle Drive, Covington, 30014 (678) 607-9810 oaksseniorliving.com
Peachtree Care Center 6135 Petty Street, Covington, 30014 (770) 730-1707 peachtreecarecenter.com

Daily Haven Adult Day Healthcare 1105 Main Street NW, Conyers, 30012 (770) 761-8889
Misty Sue’s Adult Day Health 517 Hill Street, Monroe, 30656 (770) 267-7995
S. Ellis Adult Day Care Services 809 Honey Creek Commons, Conyers, 30013 (770) 679-4503 sellisdaycare.net

QUESTIONS TO ASK WHEN CHOOSING A DAY CARE:

• How long has the center been in operation?

• Is the center licensed?

• What background checks does the center do on its caregivers?

• How are your caregivers trained?

• How long have most of your caregivers been employed with you?

• What's the ratio of staff to attendees (the lower the better), and what kind of training do employees receive?

• What days and hours is the day care open?

• What's the policy on late arrivals or pick-ups?

• What makes your facility special?

SKILLED HOME HEALTH SERVICES

Home Health is a range of short-term, skilled services, intended to improve or maintain your health. These services are paid for by insurance and must be ordered by your doctor.

Home health must be ordered by your doctor, and the doctor may choose to order some or all of the services listed below.

To qualify for home health services, you must medically need the services, and must also be “homebound.” Homebound means that you are unable to leave your home often or by yourself due to illness or weakness.

Each type of home health visit is completed in less than one hour, and home health does NOT take the place of a dedicated caregiver. It is recommended that a family member or caregiver be present at the visits so they can learn from the nurse or therapist.

Skilled Nursing: teaching about your medications, teaching about chronic illnesses like COPD, CHF or diabetes. Taking your blood pressure, listening to your heart and lungs with a stethoscope. Giving injections (and teaching you to self-inject), tube feedings, catheter changes, dressing changes for wounds

Physical Therapy: supervision of and training for exercises to regain movement (like improving your ability to walk or to transfer from your bed to your chair)

If you require skilled nursing or physical therapy, the doctor can add the following services, if they believe they are needed. These services cannot be ordered if you do not need either nursing or physical therapy.

Occupational Therapy: supervision of and training for exercises of your upper body to help you regain the ability to do usual daily activities by yourself (like eating, brushing your teeth and putting on clothes)

Speech Therapy: supervision of and training for exercises to regain the ability to eat and swallow, to help regain communication skills to express wants, needs and ideas (like after a stroke)

Medical Social Worker: provides education, counseling and helps you find helping services in your area

Aide: can give you a bath up to three times a week

The following agencies service Newton County:

Amedisys Home Health (770) 787-1796
Bridgeway Home Health (678) 806-5336
Guardian Home Health (706) 354-6073
Kindred Home Health (678) 289-6044
Piedmont Home Health (706) 475-5500

Pruitt Home Health (770) 267-5237
Suncrest Home Health (678) 625-7105
Visiting Nurse Home Health (404) 215-6000

You can look up Medicare ratings and quality information for each agency here: www.medicare.gov/care-compare

Hospice focuses on caring, not curing, and care is usually provided in the patient's home.

Many people are afraid of hospice care and think that they will die faster if they accept the service. This is a myth!

You or your chosen family caregiver are in charge of your care and you only have to take the medications you want to take. You will NEVER be forced to take pain medication against your wishes. You are also not confined to your house. You can go about your regular life, including vacations! You can also stop hospice care at any time if you don't like the service or just want to try aggressive treatment again.

You do not have to have cancer or have only days to live to qualify for hospice care. You can qualify for hospice care at any time if your doctor thinks that your illness is advanced and "wouldn't be surprised" if your illness caused your passing in 6 months or less.

Hospice care can be provided for many different illnesses including:

Severe or reoccurring strokes
Congestive Heart Failure/advanced heart disease
COPD/advanced lung disease
Dementia (usually qualify when the person is no longer walking or talking much)
AIDS
Cancer
Advanced Liver Disease
Advanced Kidney Disease (usually qualify when you need dialysis, but don't want to have the treatments anymore)
Worsening Neurological conditions (Parkinson’s, Huntington’s, Multiple Sclerosis, or ALS (Lou Gehrig's) Disease)

If I have one or more of the illnesses above, when should I consider hospice?

When you have to take frequent unplanned trips to the hospital
When you have frequent infections or wounds that won't heal
When you are losing weight without trying or your appetite has disappeared
When you notice worsening weakness, tiredness or that you are falling down more
When you notice significantly worsening memory and thinking
When it becomes harder to do daily tasks like feeding, bathing, toileting and dressing yourself
When you are tired of being "poked and prodded" and want to focus more on quality of life rather than aggressive treatments

Who pays for hospice care?

Hospice care is covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and most private insurance plans. Hospices will also accept a limited number of patients without insurance when they have they ability.

How does hospice care work?

Typically, a family member serves as the primary caregiver for the hospice patient. Members of the hospice staff including nurses, aides, social workers, chaplains and volunteers make regular visits to assess the patient and provide care. Hospice staff is on-call

24 hours a day, seven days a week.

What services are provided?

Most of your medications will be delivered to your home each week
Medical supplies including adult diapers and bed pads
Medical equipment including oxygen, hospital beds, wheelchairs, walkers, and more
Respite care where you stay in a facility for a few days if your caregiver is going out of town or needs a caregiving break
Minimum weekly home visits from your personal nurse. A nurse is also available 24/7 in the event of an emergency
Multiple weekly visits from an aide who helps with bed changes, bathing, and dressing
Monthly visits from a medical social worker to help with resources
As needed visits from hospice volunteers who offer companionship and short caregiver breaks
As needed visits from a chaplain to help with the emotional and social and spiritual aspects of dying
Bereavement care and counseling for your surviving family and friends

If you are interested in hospice care, talk to your doctor. You can also reach out to a local hospice company for more information.

Local Hospices:

Longleaf Hospice 1160 Monticello Street SW, Covington, GA 30014 (770) 939-9179 www.longleafhospice.com

Abbey Hospice 215 Azalea Court, Social Circle, GA 30025 (770) 464-5858 www.abbeyhospice.com

Southern Grace 80 Candler Road, McDonough, GA 30253 (678) 432-8811 www.southerngracehospice.com

Choose your hospice provider carefully. Look up their quality ratings at www.medicare.gov/care-compare and ask your friends and family for recommendations.

We recommend paying particularly close attention to the "Family caregiver experience" data, especially the "Family Willingness to Recommend This Hospice." The national average for "Willingness to Recommend" is 84%. If the hospice is not equal to or higher than that number, or does not report this data to Medicare, consider carefully whether or not you wish to use their services.