Injury, illness, and age can make daily activities challenging. The things you may have taken for granted might become harder to do as you get older. As a caregiver, you might worry about your loved one continuing to stay in their home. They may need just a little more help around the house so they can live and age independently(, maintaining their personal independence with at home care.)
Needing help is normal, yet many people don’t want to ask for it. Or they don’t even know that they can ask for it. ((This is where the importance of at home personal care services becomes evident.))
At VNS Health, our home health aides are here to fill those gaps. Home health aides can help you or a loved one with day-to-day tasks and offer companionship. They provide personal care and help with meals and other tasks so your loved one can stay safe at home — while giving you peace of mind.
((In-home support services are tailored to meet the individual needs of each client, ensuring a personalized care experience.))
Who Needs Personal Care Services?
If you or a loved one struggles with tasks like cooking, dressing, or bathing, personal care services from a home health aide may be what you need. If you worry about your loved one being on their own — but don’t need or want to move them to a nursing facility — home health aides can offer much-needed support.
However, home health aides cannot provide medical or skilled nursing care. For example, a home health aide can remind you to take your medications on schedule, but they can’t administer the medications.
A home health aide might be the only support your loved one needs. Or the aide might be part of a larger care team that includes medical help. Rest assured that all VNS Health home health aides work under a nurse’s supervision. If you have questions about what kind of support your loved one needs, don’t hesitate to contact us.
What Services Can Home Health Aides Provide
Home health aides can offer many different kinds of support to you or your loved one.
As your loved one ages, they may need help with day-to-day tasks that help them look, feel, and be their best.
Home health aides can help your loved one with a range of personal care tasks such as:
- Grooming
- Bathing
- Shaving
- Oral hygiene
- Getting dressed
As a caregiver, you want to know that your loved one is in good hands and that someone is looking after their well-being — even when you’re not around.
A home health aide can:
- Keep track of your loved one’s symptoms
- Remind your loved one to take their meds
- Help your loved one move safely through their home
- Go grocery shopping for your loved one
- Prepare meals for your loved one
A home health aide can help you or your loved one get from point A to point B.
They can accompany your loved one to and from their medical appointments — which can give you a few moments back in your day to relax, catch up on other errands, and find some time for yourself.
As your loved one gets older, they may lose friends or loved ones and have a hard time connecting with other people. They may become lonely or bored. Over time, social isolation can actually affect their health. Companion care focuses on creating deep relationships and connections.
A home health aide whose daily responsibilities include one-on-one companionship might do things with your loved one like:
- Going for walks
- Doing crossword puzzles
- Creating art
- Baking
- Being an attentive listener and encouraging your loved one to talk
- Watching for behavior changes that signal sadness, confusion, or memory loss
Call 1-888-735-8913 to learn more about private care options for companion care.
A home health aide can help your loved one around the home, ensuring that they are safe and comfortable.
It’s important to remember that an aide’s first duty is to care for your loved one. Your aide is not a housekeeper, and the help they can offer around the home is limited to things related to their care. A home health aide might tidy the bathroom after bathing or clean the kitchen after cooking a meal, for example.
Where Are Personal Care Services Available?
The following areas are serviced by VNS Health Personal Health Care Services.
- The Bronx
- Brooklyn
- Manhattan
- Queens
- Staten Island
- Nassau County
- Suffolk County
- Westchester County
- Rockland County
Providing the Best Care Possible
VNS Health Personal Care earned the Provider of Choice award from Best of Home Care, recognizing our commitment to the highest quality of care and patient satisfaction.
What Can I Expect from a Home Health Aide?
If you’ve never worked with a home health aide, you may wonder what you can expect. You may be nervous about bringing someone new into your home and into your loved one’s life. But you can trust that the VNS Health team is both highly trained and excited to meet you.
When you choose a home health aide to support your loved one, you can expect …
A high level of training
In New York, home health aides are trained and certified by a program approved by the New York State Department of Health. This program requires 75 hours of instruction in assistance with activities of daily living.
All VNS Health home health aides receive 50% more training than New York State requires. They also undergo a comprehensive background check.
Regular check-ins with a registered nurse
A registered nurse supervises your home health aide, and a VNS Health representative is available to talk 24 hours a day. Your registered nurse will routinely check in on your loved one to ensure that they are well and healthy.
Compassionate and respectful care
Our aides come from many backgrounds, so we can match you with an aide who understands you. This means someone who speaks your language, understands your customs, and might even know how to prepare your favorite foods.
Our home health aides have also been trained to support veterans and provide respectful care to members of the LGBTQ+ community.
Peace of mind
Caring for an aging loved one can be stressful, overwhelming, and even frustrating. You may worry when you’re not around or spend time thinking about your loved one instead of relaxing or living your life.
By hiring a home health aide, you’re actually prioritizing both your loved one’s needs and your own. This is key to not burning out as a caregiver.
A home health aide can help ease your worries and give you peace of mind. With VNS Health, you can know that your loved one is in good hands.
Does Insurance Cover Personal Care Services?
In most cases, Medicare covers home health aide services only when ordered by a doctor as part of a care plan. Medicare does not cover long-term home health aide services or personal care.
VNS Health aims to make home health aide services accessible and affordable. We offer various payment options, including paying privately, private long-term care insurance, and several Medicaid Managed Long Term Care (MLTC) plans. If you’re eligible for MLTC, we can help you get enrolled in one of the plans we accept. Call us at 1-888-943-8435.
((The Advantages of Choosing At-Home Personal Care with VNS Health))
((Choosing VNS Health for at-home personal care services brings a multitude of benefits to both caregivers and those in need of care. Our commitment to excellence ensures that your loved ones receive the highest quality of care right in the comfort of their own homes. Here’s why our at-home care services stand out:))
- ((Personalized Care Plans: Each individual’s needs are unique, which is why we tailor our personal care services to match the specific requirements of your loved one. Whether it’s assistance with daily living activities, medication reminders, or companionship, our care plans are designed to enhance quality of life.
- Skilled and Compassionate Caregivers: Our home health aides are not only highly trained but also deeply
- compassionate. They understand the importance of dignity, respect, and empathy, making them the perfect companions for your loved ones. Their dedication to providing personal care ensures a nurturing and supportive environment at home.
- Flexibility and Independence: One of the key benefits of at-home care is the flexibility it offers. Your loved ones can maintain their daily routines and live independently in their familiar surroundings, which is crucial for their emotional and mental well-being.
- Peace of Mind for Families: Knowing that your loved one is receiving professional, compassionate care at home brings immense peace of mind. With VNS Health, you can rest assured that the safety, comfort, and well-being of your loved ones are in good hands, reducing stress and worry for the entire family.
- Cost-Effective Solutions: We understand the financial concerns associated with long-term care. That’s why we offer cost-effective home care solutions that provide high-quality care without the high costs associated with institutional care facilities.
- Access to a Broad Range of Services: Beyond basic personal care, our home health aides can facilitate access to a broader range of services including nursing care, physical therapy, and more, as needed. This comprehensive approach ensures that all health and personal care needs are met under one roof.))
((At VNS Health, we believe in enhancing the lives of those we serve through compassionate, professional, and personalized at-home personal care services. Our goal is to enable your loved ones to enjoy the highest possible quality of life, surrounded by the comfort and familiarity of home. Let us be your partner in care, providing the support your family needs to navigate the challenges of aging, illness, or recovery.))
((For more information on how we can assist you and your loved ones, contact VNS Health today. Embrace the benefits of at-home care and give your loved ones the gift of independence, comfort, and dignity.))
