Frequently Asked Questions
Does Medicare or Medicaid pay for services from Lifeline Homecare?
Original Medicare and Medicaid benefits do not pay for non-medical care services. However, some Medicare Advantage plans currently pay for this type of care and there are some waiver benefits where Medicaid pays. For more info visit CMS.gov
Do I have to sign a long-term contract with Lifeline Homecare?
No. Lifeline Homecare offers many options to support individuals and families as they plan for aging at home. Services are available for one-time usage scenarios as well as 24/7 care and all options in-between. Let us help you make a plan based on your individual needs.
What is the difference between home health care and non-medical care?
Non-medical care (what Lifeline Homecare provides) is services that support activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living. These represent tasks needed to live at home and function independently. Help with ADLs or IADLs may range from a reminder to having someone help complete the task.
ADL’s include:
- Bathing and Grooming: washing face and body in bath or shower and managing personal appearance including combing hair, brushing teeth, shaving, etc.
- Dressing: choosing articles of clothing and putting them on appropriately.
- Toileting: getting to/from toilet, using adequately, cleaning self appropriately.
- Transferring: move from one position to another ( i.e. from chair to bed), ability to stand safely and use assistive device (i.e. walker) appropriately.
- Walking or getting around inside and outside the home. The technical term is “ambulating”.
IADL’s include:
- Managing transportation: driving, ability to arrange transport, use public transportation.
- Managing finances: paying bills, managing assets appropriately.
- Housekeeping and home maintenance: cleaning and sanitizing appropriately to keep living space safe and tidy, taking care of home maintenance needs.
- Shopping and meal preparation: choosing, purchasing items needed to prepare adequate meals and ability to safely cook/bake/store foods, shopping for clothing and shoes or other items needed for daily life.
- Managing medications: obtaining medications and taking them appropriately.
Lifeline Homecare proudly provides non-medical, in-home support for all ADLs and IADL’s.
Medical home health care providers carry out the orders of a clinician. Services are often carried out by nurses and therapists to address a medical need rather than a non-medical need. Clients are generally unable to decide the scope or length of care as services are prescribed by a healthcare professional or payor source.
Non-medical and medial homecare services are often appropriate to be utilized simultaneously to ensure the best person-centered in-home care experience.
Why should I hire Lifeline Homecare versus a private caregiver?
Lifeline Homecare is licensed and regulated by the Office of the Inspector General and Kentucky Cabinet for Family Services. This assures you that certain standards are met for employment and service provision.
If you hire your own caregivers, you are considered the employer. These are just a few issues you may want to consider:
- You are responsible for all state and federal payroll taxes.
- You must maintain workers compensation insurance or require the person you hire has it, otherwise, you could be responsible for any injury or disability claimed in the process of working for you. These could be substantial.
- You will need to be prepared to provide service if the person you hire does not show up or you may have to leave the person needing care alone. Is this acceptable?
- You need to consider whether you can conduct appropriate background checks or drug testing on your potential private hires.
- Is the person you might hire bonded to protect against theft?
- You will need to be prepared to educate and supervise those you hire.
These are only some of the challenges you may want to consider before hiring caregivers on your own. Lifeline Homecare can alleviate these concerns, lessening the stress you have as a client or family member.
Can I get service if I live in a senior living facility?
Yes. Lifeline Homecare can provide service in your residence whether that is in a managed community, a mansion on a hill or a home up in a Kentucky “holler”. Where you call home is where we provide the support you need – as long as it’s safe to do so.
Can I arrange care from Lifeline Homecare while I am in the hospital or nursing home?
Yes. Lifeline Homecare can even provide care while you are still in the hospital or nursing home. Often families feel better if someone is with their loved one during hospitalization or recovery to ensure safety and one-to-one care. We can provide safety supervision, feeding assistance, personal care, companionship, etc. As the time approaches to go home, Lifeline Homecare works with clients to prepare for safe transition home, errands to pick up meds, supplies, etc and help to get settled back into the comfort of home.
What if I need someone outside of regular business hours?
Lifeline Homecare services are available 24/7 every day of the year. Even though our local offices have regular business hours, someone is available at all times to respond to your needs and concerns.
