What is home health care?

Home health care embodies a variety of duties performed in the home for the ill, elderly, disabled or convalescent. These duties range from housekeeping and activities of daily living (ADL) such as bathing, toileting, to health-related care, including monitoring vital signs.

What services does GAHA provide?

GAHA’s aides provide the following care to clients:

• Assistance with total personal care, including bathing, dressing, ambulation, feeding and exercises.
• Short-term care, including assistance with ADLs following an illness or hospitalization.
• Meal preparation, which can entail shopping, cooking and preparation of a special diet.
• Shopping and Errands.
• Light Housekeeping and laundry.
• Respite care, which is care provided to individuals whose primary caregivers need some time to take care of themselves.

What does home care cost?

The cost of services depends on the kind and frequency of care. The cost of care is based on a sliding fee scale and offset by other funding sources. Medicare and Medicaid may pay for certain services. Some insurances also cover the cost of home health care.

Who is eligible for home care?

Anyone is eligible to receive home care. And it’s not just for seniors. However, coverage of the cost by third-party payers such as Medicare, Medicaid and some insurance is dependent on whether a patient meets specific criteria. More information on specific criteria needs for both Medicare and Medicaid coverage can be found online at http://www.medicare.gov/.

Who provides the care?

Care is provided by GAHA’s certified Home Health and Personal Care Aides. Our aides are RN-supervised, bonded and insured.

What is the difference between a HHA, PCA, CNA and Sitter/Companion?

Home health aides (HHAs) carry out health care tasks in a patient’s home under the supervision of a registered nurse or licensed therapist and may also provide assistance with personal hygiene, housekeeping and other related supportive tasks. HHAs are required to be under professional supervision by the home care agency.

Personal care aides (PCAs) provide patients assistance with nutritional and environmental support and personal hygiene, feeding and dressing and/or, as an extension of self-directed patients, select health-related tasks. PCAs are required to be under professional supervision by the home care agency.

Certified nurse aides (CNAs) provide the vast majority of direct personal care to nursing home residents. Working under the supervision of nursing and medical staff, nurse aides answer residents’ call bells, deliver messages, serve meals, make beds, and help residents eat, dress and bathe.

Sitter/Companions provide companionship and environmental care (housekeeping, shopping and errands). Sitter/Companions are not certified and therefore not permitted to provide personal care (bathing, dressing, toileting); they may or may not be working for a licensed agency/organization.

Why choose GAHA?

Greater Adirondack Home Aides has been providing quality home care services to area residents for over 40 years.

• GAHA’s aides are screened, trained and certified.
• GAHA’s aides receive continuing education.
• A team of professionals is available to provide you with answers to your questions.
• An RN is available to help in the case of an emergency.
• Supervisors visit your home at regular intervals to assess the quality of care the aide is providing.
• GAHA is licensed by the New York State Department of Health.
• GAHA is guided by a Board of Directors whose members represent the community.
• GAHA’s aides are qualified to provide hands-on care.
• GAHA provides services based on a sliding fee scale.

How do I go about getting a home care aide?

You can contact Greater Adirondack Home Aides for a consultation by calling (518) 926-7070.

Have the following information ready:

• Where the client lives.
• Was the client recently discharged from the hospital?
• A list of the client's needs or tasks they would like help with.
• Amount of time they would like: How many hours per day? How many days per week? What time of day?
• Client's monthly income and insurance information, including Medicare.