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1) 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 and
changing bandages.
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2) 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.
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- Short-term
care, including assistance with ADL following an illness
or hospitalization.
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- Meal
preparation, which can entail shopping, cooking and
preparation of a special diet.
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- Light
Housekeeping and laundry.
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- Respite care,
which is care provided to individuals whose primary
caregivers need some time to take care of themselves.
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3)
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.
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4)
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/.
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5)
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.
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6)
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.
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7)
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.
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- GAHA’s
aides receive continuing education.
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- A team
of professionals is available to provide you
with answers to your questions.
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- An RN
is available to help in the case of an
emergency.
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Supervisors visit your home at regular intervals
to assess the quality of care the aide is
providing.
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- GAHA is
licensed by the New York State Department of
Health.
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- GAHA is
guided by a Board of Directors whose members
represent the community.
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- GAHA’s
aides are qualified to provide hands-on care.
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- GAHA
provides services based on a sliding fee scale.
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8)
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 or (518)
587-4379. Have the following information ready:
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- Was the
client recently discharged from the hospital?
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- A list
of the client's needs or tasks they would like
help with.
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- Amount
of time they would like: How many hours per day?
How many days per week? What time of day?
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Client's monthly income and insurance
information, including Medicare.
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