Private and public organzations, individual professionals and volunteers provide senior home health care services in Florida. The type of service provided depends on the needs of the senior. In some cases, mulitiple providers work together to serve all of the edler's home health care needs. The state of Florida supplies information and resources to help seniors find the type of care that is best suited to their individual situation.
Oversight and Regulation
Senior home health care in Florida is regulated by the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA). The agency is responsible for policy creation, planning, regulation and for licensing home health care agencies, the Medicaid program, health care facilities and health maintenance organizations. To educate Floridians, AHCA publishes brochures related to home health care and provides information to help citizens access other information resources.
Service Types
Services for seniors differ according to the provider and may include nutritional counseling, nursing care, physical, respiratory, occupational or speech therapy; medical social services, companion services, medical supplies; homemaker services and home health aid. A certified nursing assistant (CNA) or home health aid can provide non-medical tasks such as help in personal grooming. Homemaker/companion services are generally used for household chores, shopping, transportation and meal preparation. The senior's doctor will write a Treatment Order for medical services.
Providers Resource
AHCA maintains a database of home health care providers. The list includes providers licensed by the state of Florida to provide health care in the home. The database is accessed through the Facility/Provider Locator on the Florida Health Finder website. Floridians can search the database by provider type, street address, zip code, county, AHCA number or facility owner. Additionally, the database contains information on providers who are no longer licensed, who have civil claims and change of ownership information.
State Services
Florida's Department of Elder Affairs gives access to services that may not be covered under home health care insurance policies. Home services are offered by a network of Area Agencies on Aging. The Older Americans Act provides in-home health aide, transportation for medical needs, homemaking services, home meal delivery, adult day care and a variety of other services. The Community Care for the Elderly program provides many of the same services. Eligibility is based on an elder's inability to perform the basic tasks needed for independent living.
Questions to Ask
Asking the right questions can help narrow the field of possible providers to one that is suited to the elder's specific personal and medical needs according to Florida Health Finder. Before hiring a provider, ask for and check references. Ask to see the company's or provider's license, training certificate and/or registration. If the provider is an independent licensed health care professional, ask to see a professional license. Request a list of the services provided and the associated fees in writing. In addition, ask to see the proof of liability insurance required for all home health providers with the exception of homemakers and companions.
