Personal Care Aide

Description of Service:

Trained staff provide assistance with basic needs for personal hygiene and grooming, laundry, meal preparation, etc. When getting in and out of the tub or shower may be dangerous or too exhausting for the client to do alone, the Aide will assist to the degree needed. Client privacy is a major concern. Client independence is encouraged for those things you are able to do alone. Meals-on-Wheels is not available in all areas of the Bootheel and in some cases the meals provided do not comply with the dietary restrictions of some clients. In addition, these meals are served only at mid-day Monday thru Friday. Most people require more than one meal per day! Personal care aides prepare meals in the client's home for those who are unable to obtain nutritious food without assistance.

Payment Methods:

Medicaid (Title XIX) is the most frequently used payment source. On occasion Medicare (Title XX) will also purchase hours for clients without Medicaid. Private Purchase of services is always available.

Eligibility Requirements:

Division of Aging Caseworkers must make a home assessment visit to determine client need and eligibility. Pre-authorization for services is then sent to the service provider selected by the client. VNA appreciates the opportunity to serve you in the privacy of your home. Please ask for us by name. Anyone may purchase privately the services desired.

Additional Notes:

Private purchase requests for service can be made by calling VNA direct at 1-800-924-7144.

Homemaker Chore

Description of Service:

Homemakers perform routine housekeeping tasks such as vacuuming, dusting, mopping floors, cleaning bathroom fixtures, cleaning kitchen appliances and fixtures, etc. Services are scheduled in advance for specific day(s) and hour(s) of the week.

Payment Methods:

Medicaid (Title XIX) and Private Funds are used to purchase Homemaker Services for VNA clients.

Eligibility Requirements:

Medicaid guidelines require a needs assessment performed by a Division of Aging Caseworker before pre-authorization of services can be made. A set number of hours per month will be assigned by the Caseworker according to the findings during this assessment. Private funds may be used to purchase any services at any time. Call VNA direct at 1-800-924-7144 to inquire about privately purchased housekeeping assistance.

Additional Notes:

The client must be in the home for services to be provided. Staff are assigned to a specific individual and are there to meet their needs. In the event the client must be away on the day/time services are scheduled, service may be cancelled or postponed.

Advanced Personal Care

Description of Service:

Specially trained aides provide assistance with special, more skilled, though routine health maintenance procedures such as ostomy care, bowel programs, exercise programs, transfers from bed to wheel chair using special equipment, etc. Advanced care is most often needed by individuals with chronic illness or permanent disabilities, such as those with limited self-care ability due to paralysis. Advanced Personal Care services gives those with a handicap a hand with the health care they need without restraining them from the things they can do. EXAMPLE: Someone paralyzed from the waist down is able to do most things for himself once he is up in the wheelchair. He may need help though with a daily bowel program, an exercise program, catheter care, bathing, and the transfer from bed to wheelchair each morning and the transfer back to bed each evening.

Payment Methods:

Medicaid, some Private Insurance benefits and Private Funds are used to purchase Advanced Personal Care services from VNA.

Eligibility Requirements:

DIVISION OF AGING Caseworkers must authorize services to be reimbursed under Medicaid. Private Insurance policies sometimes cover non-skilled services or offer the policyholder a daily dollar amount in benefits to be used towards health care needs. Private funds can be used to purchase service at any time.

Additional Notes:

ASK FOR VNA whenever you need or want service for yourself or someone you love. Call VNA direct at 1-800-924-7144 with any questions or to request service.

Nurse-Authorized Visits

Description of Service:

Routine, semi-skilled nursing services such as pre-filling medication reminder trays and insulin syringes; routine monthly diabetic nail care; skin assessment when limited mobility or chronic illness makes the individual susceptible to skin breakdown; venipunctures to obtain lab specimens when bloodwork is needed but the individual is physically unable to travel to the lab or doctor's office to have the test run; and other preventative and maintenance health care is provided by a nurse by VNA Community Services in Nurse-Authorized visits.

Payment Methods:

Medicaid (Title XIX) and some Private Insurance if benefits include semi-skilled nursing or pay a per diem (daily amount) towards healthcare of the patient's choosing during an illness, and Private Funds are used to purchase services for these clients of VNA Community Services. NOTE: Skilled services are available under the Medicare Home Health benefit for those who meet the Medicare Guidelines. See VNA Home Health for skilled intermittent care or call the Central Intake Nurse at 1-800-286-5892 Ext 157.

Eligibility Requirements:

Medicaid guidelines require a needs assessment and prior authorization from the Division of before any In-home services can be reimbursed under the Medicaid benefit.

Additional Notes:

Call VNA direct at 1-800-924-7144 to request services or ask questions. Ask for VNA when the Division of Aging Caseworker asks you which agency you prefer.

Respite Care

Description of Service:

Occasionally, it is unwise or unsafe to leave someone home alone, even for short periods of time. Still, they prefer to remain at home and do well there with minimal assistance and/or supervision. In those cases, VNA will provide a Sitter to stay with the client during those periods when the regular caregiver must be away or is asleep. The Sitter will assist the client to the bathroom, place food that has been prepared within easy reach and assist with minor difficulties for an otherwise independent or stable person.

Payment Methods:

Medicaid and Private Purchase are used to obtain respite services from VNA Community Services.

Eligibility Requirements:

Division of Aging must pre-authorize respite care before Medicaid will pay. This service is usually temporary. Long-term care is generally provided in the nursing home.

Additional Notes:

Private Purchase can be made for any length of time. Call VNA direct at 1-800-924-7144 to inquire about Respite Care.