| Our Programs |
In Home Services |
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Hospice Community Hospice The Community Hospice is a comfort-oriented program of services provided to individuals in the final stages of a terminal illness. Individual Plans of Care are developed for each patient based on the needs of patient and family. An interdisciplinary team of professionals and volunteers provide services which may include the following: nursing care, social work, counseling, chaplain services, dietary counseling, physical and respiratory therapy, physician services, bereavement services. Hospice care is provided wherever the patient is being cared for: at home, in a hospital, or in a long term care facility. The goal of community Hospice care is to provide symptom-directed, supportive care and to address the physical, social, emotional and spiritual needs of patients, caregivers and families. Anyone can make a call to the Community Hospice and request to speak to an outreach nurse for detailed information. A physician referral is required for admission to the facility. Admission is based on an illness in the final stages of life. Eddy Lifeline Emergency Response System Service Area: Columbia and Greene Counties Various styles of equipment used to activate basic unit, catering to elderly and physically-challenged individuals. Some options include necklace, bracelet, and other adaptive devices. The waiting period is brief; usually two to three days. They are generally able to install the service quickly. The units have an 8-hour battery backup system. They prefer not to use a wall mount telephone due to difficulty obtaining a needed adaptation plate. The unit cannot be plugged into a n outlet that operates on an on/off switch. RISE Radio Information Service
Anyone with a visual impairment or physical condition that makes reading difficult is eligible for RISE. Receivers are loaned free of charge to eligible applicants. Local newspaper readings include: the latest news, lottery results, sports, TV listings, death notices, and favorite columns from Capital Region newspapers, Old Time Radio Theater, Arts & Entertainment Updates, and Science & Health News. Medicare Coverage for therapeutic shoes for Diabetics Ray Hemstead is a certified consultant who provides the forms, measures, and orders the shoes and inserts for the individual. The shoes are available in 3 widths and 1/2 sizes to meet the requirements of Medicare's “Therapeutic Shoe Bill.” Ray is in the Independent Living Center office on Thursdays from 10am to 12 Noon. Community Services for the Elderly Program (CSE) The Community Services for the Elderly Program (CSE) is a medical program which provides Home Health Aide services on a limited basis to elderly persons who are not able to care for themselves due to illness, impairment or advanced age. The Home Health Aides generally provide the same type of Medicare-covered services after Medicare stops paying. The service is provided under the supervision of a Community Health Nurse in accordance with the orders and plan of treatment by the patient’s physician. The Community Health Nurse must visit the home to evaluate the need for the Home Health Aide and to design a care plan before service can begin. In addition to personal care, Home Health Aides may perform the following tasks on behalf of, or to assist, a client if included in the care plan: Each month the client will receive a statement for the number of hours of service provided during the previous month. Clients may decide whether or not to mail a donation in a check or money order to the Office for the Aging. No person is denied services because of unwillingness or inability to contribute. Case Management is required for all CSE clients.
Expanded In-Home Services for the Elderly Program (EISEP) is meant to improve access to, and the availability of, appropriate and cost-effective, non-medical support services for older persons who are functionally impaired. These impairments are: Activities of Daily Living, Bathing, Eating, Toileting, Dressing, Transferring, Continence. Instrumental Activities of Daily Living: Meal Preparation, Housekeeping, Shopping, Telephoning, Travel, Money Management, Taking Medication. To be eligible for EISEP a person must be 60 years of age or older, functionally impaired in at least one activity of daily living or two instrumental activities of daily living. Have unmet needs for assistance, and be able to be maintained safely at home. EISEP FEES: Under EISEP, clients are required to cost-share for Personal Care and Housekeeper/Chore services if their available income is above 150% of the poverty level. To ensure that fees are based on ability to pay and are not detrimental to a client’s ability to remain at home, all fees required and charged are based on an assessment of the financial situation of the client; and to be payable from available income which is the amount of their income after provisions for special allowances. Clients in need of EISEP services who refuse to divulge their income will be charged the full cost of the service. Cost-share clients are billed monthly. Willful non-payment of fees will result in discharge and clients will be ineligible for any EISEP services (except case management) until payment is received. Prior written notification of the proposed termination of services, the procedures for discharge from the program, and rights to a hearing will be given to the client. Clients who are not required to cost share are given an opportunity to contribute. Each month the client will receive a statement of hours of service provided during the previous month. Clients may decide whether or not to mail a donation of a check or money order to the Office for the Aging. No person is denied services because of unwillingness or inability to contribute."
Individuals who need the assistance of the Office for the Aging but are homebound, are able to receive a home visit by our staff. If your problem involves looking through documents, please have them available when the staff person arrives. Because of limited staff and time constraints, the worker assigned to assist you will make an appointment for a mutually agreeable time when she is in your area. Please be sure to call us to cancel if you are not going to be available at the prearranged time. We will be happy to reschedule the appointment. Caregivers Home Maintenance Program Services include: House Cleaning, exterior and interior home repairs, lawn maintenance, snow plowing and shoveling. These services are provided in Columbia County. Senior Companion Program This program also serves Columbia County residents. The Senior Companion Program provides opportunities to to assist homebound elderly maintain independence, comfort and dignity in their lives. The Companions may: |
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