PURPOSE:
To promote quality of service, the Aging and Disability Services Division (ADSD) has established service specifications that contain general guidelines. ADSD will use these service specifications as the basis for assessing program performance. The service specifications that each grantee must follow consist of GENERAL REQUIREMENTS, according to the funding source, and SERVICE-SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS established for each funded service.
This service provides home safety evaluations, home safety training, home modifications/ installations of assistive technology, home maintenance and/or home repair services to people 60 years of age and older, who are at risk of injury and/or decreased ability to remain in their residences.
The following service categories and unit measures must be used to document the amount of service provided:
Home Safety Evaluations: An assessment that evaluates the client’s ability to perform Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) within their primary residence. Based on the evaluation, recommendations are made that would improve the safety, accessibility and/or the quality of life for the client and his/her caregiver. Optional: A licensed occupational therapist (OT) or physical therapist (PT) may complete the evaluation.
Home Safety Training: The client and family/caregivers are taught techniques that encourage safe activities, conserve energy, and enhance quality of life for both the caregiver and receiver.
Home Modifications: Minor or major home modifications to any section of the client or family’s residence or property to improve safety, accessibility and/or the quality of life. Home modifications may include, but are not limited to: installing hand rails, grab bars, vision panels in doors, leverage door handles or faucets, adhesive strips, carpeting or kick plates, building ramps, modifying or replacing doors, modifying sinks or cabinets to accommodate wheelchairs, removing thresholds, closing open risers on stairs and amplifying telephone rings and door bells.
Home Maintenance: Minor or major maintenance to the existing home or property to improve safety, accessibility and/or the quality of life of the client. Home maintenance may include, but is not limited to: changing batteries in smoke detectors; changing furnace and/or air conditioner filters; resetting water softeners; changing sprinkler heads; and replacing appliances, such as air conditioners, garbage disposals, washers and dryers.
Home Repair: Minor or major repair to the existing home or property to improve safety, accessibility and/or quality of life for the client. This can include, but is not limited to: repairing stairs, roofs, railings; replacing parts on appliances; and/or repairing electrical items.
One unit equals completion of one home modification, home maintenance activity or home repair and/or any other intervention that is part of the home service plan.
One unit equals completion of one hour of home safety evaluation or home safety training.
1. Required Services:
1.1 Identify client needs by performing an evaluation of the client’s home when requests for services are received, or when a referral is received from another agency.
1.1.a Develop standardized forms and methods of communication between team members, clients and referring agencies to ensure the client receives assistance that is appropriate and timely.
1.1.a.1 A comprehensive and detailed safety evaluation form is to be developed and must include a recommendation list to be reviewed with the client, as well as the client’s (or caregiver’s) signature agreeing to the recommendations.
1.2 Home modifications and home repairs must have the required permits and be approved by a building inspector(s) when applicable.
2. Operating Procedures:
2.1 A home and/or safety evaluation shall be completed prior to the start of service. The safety evaluation shall document the condition of the client’s primary residence and property; and identify needed services and recommendations.
2.1.a When two or more agency partners collaborate with the same client, one agency will be designated to complete a home safety evaluation that can be used by all parties.
Based on the evaluation recommendations, a Home Services Plan is created that will improve the safety, accessibility and/or the quality of life for the client and his/her caregiver.
Preferred, but Optional: A licensed occupational or physical therapist performs the evaluation of the primary residence and determines how the client is performing Activities of Daily Living (ADL) within that environment.
2.1.b The person responsible for completing the home service shall review recommendations of the evaluator and shall assess the dwelling to determine the feasibility and appropriateness of the service as part of the Home Services Plan. The final Home Services Plan shall be approved and signed by the client or caregiver.
2.1.c The cost of the home service, such as material and installation expenses, shall be detailed in the Home Services Plan.
3. Documentation Requirements:
3.1 Home Services Plan Activity Record: Service must be provided in accordance with the established Plan. An Activity Record must be completed after each service visit and must contain the following documentation:
3.1.a Name of client and date of service;
3.1.b Services provided to the client, including any services provided in addition to those specified in the Plan;
3.1.c Signatures of client (or caregiver) and provider on completed Home Services Plan; and
3.1.d A list of authorized Home Safety Plan services not provided to the client and a brief explanation of why they were not provided.
Client signatures are to be obtained only after services have been provided.
3.2 Independent Contractor Verification: If the client has home repairs completed by an outside contractor, the following must occur:
3.2.a The client must obtain three bids for projects that cost over $2,000;
3.2.b The contractor must be licensed and bonded; and
3.2.c A procedure must be established that allows the grantee to verify the cost and the completion of the services provided. If the work is covered by private insurance or the client plans to contribute to the cost of the project, this should also be noted.
4.1 A visit or phone call must be made to each client no later than 6 weeks after the service is provided. The purpose of the follow-up is to: verify that the Home Services Plan was followed and the work was completed, assess the client’s satisfaction with the service, and amend the Home Services Plan if any other service needs have been identified.
4.1.a If additional services are identified, the grantee will document the need and determine if funds are available for completion of the service. If additional services are provided, another follow-up phone call or visit must be completed and documented.
5.1 The following is a summary of steps for assessments, job completion, quality assurance and reassessment:
5.1.a Begin Date – Information is received from client or referring agency;
5.1.b Complete initial Home Services Evaluation;
5.1.c Develop Home Services Plan;
5.1.d Obtain necessary permitting, if applicable;
5.1.e Develop work schedule;
5.1.f Complete service;
5.1.g Perform follow-up visit or phone call within 6 weeks of completion;
5.1.h Schedule and complete additional work, if applicable. Complete steps 5.1.c to 5.1.h again; and once all repairs or modifications are complete,
5.1.i Client file is closed.
