Illness doesn't just affect the patient; it has an impact on everyone in the family. The caregiver in the household requires the peace of mind to know that the patient's needs are being attended to in the best possible way. But more than that, the caregiver also needs some time off to do the things with his or her family that provide for quality in the way they live. Good Samaritan's Long-Term Care services provide patient, caregiver and caregiver's family with the skill, support, counsel and respite time so necessary when illness strikes.

Good Samaritan's Long-Term Home Health Care Program (LTHHC) can bring new life to adults who would otherwise be eligible for nursing

home placement. The mission of the program is to provide cost-effective services to chronically ill people who are unable to function independently, but do not require around-the-clock nursing care.

Certain life circumstances could create an environment where individuals or families would benefit from the LTHHC program. Typical scenarios include a married couple with one spouse suffering from chronic health problems, an elderly mother with a cardiac condition caring for a mentally retarded adult child or an elderly adult with early dementia, who is socially isolated.

These cases would be individually assessed for appropriate patient care. Many frail elderly adults living on their own could benefit from daycare services including nursing supervision, assistance with medications, personal care aides, social work supportive services, physical, speech, occupational, respiratory, and nutritional therapies. Both the patient and caregiver can receive support through the LTHHC program.

Durable medical equipment including bathroom safety equipment, wheelchairs and walkers are also available. LTHHC can provide federally waivered service such as personal emergency response systems (emergency call buttons), housing improvements such as ramps and electric stair glides, moving assistance, respite services and social day care.

The primary payer for this program is Medicaid, however, patients can access services as self-payers or with long-term care insurance coverage. Eligibility is based on meeting criteria for nursing home admission and having complex needs requiring multiple services and case management.

Long Term Home Health Care is:

• A cost-effective way of caring for patients of any age with disabilities, chronic illness or those in need of on-going rehabilitation in the home
• A program designed to assist people in their homes and family environments to avoid or delay placement in a skilled nursing facility
• A coordinate plan of services under the supervision of their physician to provide health care services

You may be eligible…

• If you are disabled or chronically ill and live at home
• If your doctor thinks you can be safely cared for at home and provides written orders for your care
• If you have Medicaid, are spending down for Medicaid or can pay privately

Referrals are accepted from:

• Patients
• Hospitals
• Physicians
• Community Agencies
• Nursing Homes
• Families
• Any concerned individual or community member

Services available:

• Nursing care-home visits, case management, 24-hour availability for consultation
• Physical and occupational therapy
• Speech and hearing services
• Personal care, homemaking, housekeeping services
• Home health aide
• Nutritional counseling
• Medical transportation
• Pastoral care visits
• Social day care or other dementia related services

Wavered Services:

• Personal emergency response system
• Housing improvement
• Home maintenance
• Social day care and transportation
• Respite care

For further information, click here.

For questions on eligibility and the additional services of Good Samaritan's Long Term Home Health Care Program, call (631) 224-8696.