Frequently Asked Questions

As we age, living in the home sometimes becomes a challenge.  However, with proper modifications in and around the home, and support and assistance with the ADL and IADL, living in the home safely, and independently is achievable.

Home care involves both skilled home health services and non-skilled home health services which are provided in the care recipient’s home.  Skilled home health services requires a doctor’s order, is a higher level of care, and reimbursed by insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid.  Non-skilled care does not require a doctor’s order and is usually paid for by the care recipient.  

The activities of daily living is assistance with personal care and the instrumental activities of living pertains is assistance with custodial care.

The Activities of Daily Living (ADL)

• Eating – assist with feeding recipient
• Bathing – assist care recipient in/out the bathtub/shower, bathing/drying, sponge bath
• Transferring – assist care recipient move from bed to wheelchair, from wheelchair to sofa
• Ambulating – providing physical support to enable care recipient to move about
• Personal Hygiene/Grooming – assist with oral, skin and nail care
• Dressing – assist care recipient put on/take off clothing
• Toileting – assist care recipient get on/off the toilet, bedpan
• Assistance with Self-Administered Medication – Assist care recipient manage/take medication (prescribed/over-the-counter) on time

The Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL)

• Healthy meal planning and preparation
• Emotional support through companionship
• Reminders to take medications
• Shopping and running errands
• Transportation and escorting to/from appointments
• Light housekeeping to make the environment safe
• Personal laundry care
• Help with caring for “non-aggressive (friendly)” Pets

1. You or your love one is no longer able to successfully manage the ADL like personal hygiene or the IADL like gathering and opening mail or paying bills
2. You or your love one is forgetting to take or fill prescriptions for medications; taking medication different from the prescribed dosage
3. Depression, loss of interest in pleasurable hobbies and activities sets in
4. Noticeable decline in grooming habits, personal care, or unpleasant body odor becomes apparent
5. You or your love one become confused when performing once-familiar tasks
6. Important medical and other appointments are missed
7. Unexplained bruising, cuts or abrasions
8. You or your love one begin to experience difficulty in walking or balancing
9. Dramatically increased forgetfulness occur
10. You or your love one start to see bugs or rodents; increase in clutter or dirty laundry

Skilled home health services require a doctor’s orders and non-skilled does not.  Skilled care, which is a higher level of care than non-skilled care is furnished by trained clinicians such as licensed nurses (registered, vocational), therapists (physical, speech, occupational), social workers, registered dietitians, etc.  Skilled care is also covered by insurance, Medicare and Medicaid.

Non-skilled care, also called non-medical home care, does not require a doctor’s order, is provided by caregivers who are unlicensed (certified nursing assistants, home health aides, homemakers, companions, and sitters), and depending on circumstances can be covered by insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid.  Beginning in 2019, certain Medicare Advantage Plans will start to cover non-medical home care.

Non-medical home care can assist the individual with the ADL and IADL.

Patient and family centered care involves collaborating with the care recipient and his/her family or legal representative to develop an individualized Plan of Care.  No man is an island.  Under that premise, patient and family centered care takes into account the belief that home care services furnished should improve not only the care recipients quality of life, but also improve his/her family’s quality of life.

It depends on what type of home care services are needed and at what level.  To find out more about our rates and services, our care coordinator can meet with you one-on-one.  An assessment of the care recipient’s needs will assist our agency in recommending beneficial home care solutions for the care recipient as well as determine the appropriate rate for his/her specific needs.

• Hourly Care
• Around-the-Clock Care (24-Hour Care)
• Live-in Care
• Respite Care
• Long Distance Care
• Holiday and Weekend Care

Insurance and Medicare

If the doctor writes a script for non-medical homecare, it is covered by insurance, including Medicare and Medicaid.  Non-skilled home care services will be allowed as a supplemental benefit for Medicare Advantage (MA) plans in 2019.  For more information contact a Medicare specialist.

Medicaid

Provides benefits for individuals requiring assistance with the activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living.

Veterans Affairs Benefits

Veterans and survivors who are eligible for a VA pension and require the aid and attendance of another person, or are housebound may be eligible for additional monetary payment.

For more information go to Veterans Affairs.

Ability Homecare caregivers are professionally trained, skilled and experienced in providing non-medical home care services to adults and seniors. Caregivers are registered nurses (RN), licensed practical nurses (LPN), certified nursing assistants (CNA), certified home health aides (HHA), homemakers, companions and sitters.

Every caregiver is thoroughly background screened and must pass rigorous checks and balances before hired by our agency.

Ability Homecare will introduce the care recipient with 2-3 caregivers to interview and select from.  Information obtained from the individual consultation and client assessment is used to match the care recipient with the best qualified caregiver.

Ability Homecare is licensed, bonded, and insured.

Brevard, Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties