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"Providing individuals and families with a choice of high-quality, cost-effective home care to remain as independent as possible in their homes."

Home Health Care assists individuals and families caring for elderly or disabled family members, patients recovering from serious illness, and the elderly living alone by offering wide range of services. Some people need long-term service, while others need temporary help in a specific situation. Some people need semi-skilled nursing, and others need practical help around the house. Even families may need a break from caring for an elderly relative. Perhaps the most important aspect of our service is the security of knowing that professionally trained, reliable, and understanding people are there to help.

Five levels of professional service are offered:

1. Personal Care Aides
2. Home Health Aides
3. Respite Care
4. Caregiver Counseling
5. Geriatric Care Management

Personal Care Aides

Personal Care Aides provide service to clients in their homes under the supervision of a Registered Nurse and with the approval of the client's physician. Services, covered by either third-party insurance or private pay, (sliding fee scale available) include:

• Personal care - grooming, bathing, dressing
• Client ambulation and exercise
• Assistance with self-administered medication
• Light housework and meal preparation
• Reports on client's conditions and needs
• Errands and shopping

Home Health Aides

In addition to tasks performed by Personal Care Aides, nursing care services provided by Home Health Aides include:

• Administering insulin injections & medications
• Taking blood pressure
• Changing simple dressings
• Catheter and colostomy care

Personal Care and Home Health services are covered by either third-party insurance or private pay. A sliding fee scale is available through the Helen Searle Fund. Contact the Home Care Program at (607) 277-8081 for more detailed information. An answering service is also available 24 hours a day, including weekends and holidays, to relay messages to Home Care professionals.

Respite Care

Respite Care gives caregivers a break from caring for an ill or elderly family member who can't be left alone. Care by a trained aide is provided for a few hours on a regular basis that allows the primary caregiver a break to do errands, rest, or simply have some time for themselves.

Aides have continuous interaction with the client, providing them with stimulation and companionship. Respite aides provide:

• Meal preparation and feeding assistance
• Ambulation
• Toileting
• Assistance transferring (bed to chair
• Safety, comfort, conversation, and activities
• Relief for the primary caregiver

Respite Care is not intended as housekeeping or nursing service or a substitute for home health care, but a service designed to ensure breaks from caregiving.

Caregiver Counseling

Caregiver counseling provides a well-trained, professional, and experienced counselor to assist clients who are feeling:

• Stressed
• Isolated
• Overwhelmed
• Tired or fatigued
• Guilty or angry
• Fearful of the future
• Abandoned by family and friends

Caregiver counseling is provided by a trained MSW-level counselor and is available as long as needed. Please call (607) 277-8081 to arrange for a home visit, learn of available support services, or just to talk to someone.

Respite Care and Caregiver Counseling services are supported through Community Reinvestment Funds, United Way contributions, Tompkins County Office for the Aging, and private donors. Although there is never a direct fee for the client, we welcome contributions to help defray the cost of these programs.

Contributions can be made to Family & Children's Service - Home Care Program, 204 N. Cayuga Street, Ithaca, NY 14850.

Family & Children's Service of Ithaca's Home Care Program has been providing professional, high-quality care since 1963 and is licensed by the New York State Department of Health. F&CS works cooperatively with the Tompkins County Health Department, Office for the Aging, Department of Mental Health, Cayuga Medical Center, and private physicians.

Our skilled and compassionate aides are New York State Certified Personal Care Aides & Home Health Aides. Every case is managed and supervised by our professional nursing staff. The aides working for Family & Children's Service of Ithaca provide dependable, high-quality care to our clients.

Geriatric Care Management Services

What is Geriatric Care Management?

Geriatric Care Management is an array of services to help older adults and their families meet long-term care needs.

Who is a Geriatric Care Manager?

A Geriatric Care Manager (GCM) is a trained professional employed by Family & Children’s Service of Ithaca’s Home Care Program to assist older individuals and their families access various services needed by the older individual(s).

  Ann Rider is the GCM at Family & Children’s Service. Ann has worked in the field of human services for more than 30 years. She previously worked for the Tompkins County Department of Social Services as a senior caseworker on elder issues.

What are the types of services offered through Geriatric Care Management?

Service delivery varies depending on the need of the individual and is customized to help the individual with appropriate care and services. Types of services available are:

• Care-planning Assessment & Eligibility for Assistance
• Home Health and/or Personal Care Aid
• Information & Referral
• Meal Delivery
• Coordination of Doctor’s Appointments
• Errand Services
• Handyman Services (Lawn Maintenance/Snow Removal)
• Hiring Screening

What does a Geriatric Care Manager provide?

• Professional Assessment
• Access to Community Resources/Services
• Review of Legal, Financial, and Medical Needs & Coordination of Services/Appointments
• Short-term or Ongoing Assistance for Long-Distance Caregivers
• Continuity of Care Management
• Consumer Education & Advocacy

What are the benefits to the elder and his/her family?

• Client-centered
• Short-term or Ongoing Assistance
• Personalized & Customized
• Efficient, Continual Streamlining of Services
• Ease of Use
• Single Point of Service/Access
• Peace of Mind for Family Caregivers & Adult Children
• Professional, Kind, Caring Staff Available for Questions, Concerns, Assistance

Who is involved with an assessment?

Assessments will be done in the home and in consultation with family members and the client. Other key service providers, such as medical or legal professionals, may assist in the assessment process.

How does the service work?

Generally, there are 4 levels of service, all developed with the individual in mind, in order to meet his or her needs:

What does this service cost?

Family & Children’s Service Geriatric Care Management services are billed at $50 per hour in ¼-hour increments.

Is more information available?

Kind, compassionate professional Home Care staff can give you more detailed information on Geriatric Care Management Services offered by the Home Care Program at Family & Children’s Service of Ithaca. Please call 607) 277-8081 and ask for Ann Rider or Joan Murphy.