In-Home Care in Buffalo, NY

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Buffalo New York Home Care: Common Terms, How to pay for Home Care, Licensing and Questions to ask

Buffalo is the second-largest city in the state of New York and the seat of Erie county. It lies at the eastern end of Lake Erie on the U.S. border with Canada. Buffalo is home to over 20 theater companies, with many centered in the downtown theater district. In 2015, the National Geographic Society ranked Buffalo third on its “World’s Top Ten Food Cities” list and locals enjoy famous buffalo wings.

What are the different Home care options? 

The various care services and options

Personal Care Assistant 

  • Companionship as well as assistance with activities of daily living, (non-medical personal care) toileting, dressing, grooming, and bathing.  
  • They can help with grocery shopping and meal preparation. 
  • A personal care assistant can help with family difficulties. If a family caregiver must leave town or be away from the home overnight the caretaker can stay with the individual and monitor and assist as needed. 
  • If a spouse is too heavy, a personal assistant can be a great asset in helping the individual move without risk of injury. 
  • These care assistants cannot perform any medical care. 

Companion Care 

  • These companions spend time with older adults. Providing companionship is especially relevant for people who live alone, or do not leave the house due to cognitive impairments or frailty.  
  • These companions are there to look after the person, keep a watchful eye, act as an extension of the person to help with mobility and general physic functions.  
  • They may drive the person to appointments, prepare light meals and snacks. They may even play games or read and listen to music together. 
  • Companion care is a great way to bring social interaction and assistance to a person who may otherwise spend long periods of time alone. 

About Home Care in Buffalo

Anyone interested in being in the hub of culture and life comes to New York to experience the richness of the city. There are benefits for seniors in New York, which may add to the appeal. Social security, Medicare, Supplemental Security Income, and the Senior rent increase exemption are all added benefits of being an aging adult in New York. It is understood that as seniors and retirees continue to age, some may require care at some point. There are many different types and levels of care for our population of people 65 and older. Typically, people prefer to age in place as long as possible, rather than move into a senior living community – but the challenges of aging may cause living at home to become increasingly difficult. The focus of New York home care is to keep people healthy and safe in their own homes.

Home Care (or In home Care) is suited for seniors who may only require some basic assistance at home. Care plans can be customized for each individual. The home aides may support activities of daily living (ADLs), which include medication reminders, assistance with bathing and eating. Home Care may be an excellent care option for family members if they must leave town or just need a break from caring for their loved one. The Home Care aides bring a sense of personalization, providing companionship and socialization, a sense of connection. 

Licensing for home care in New York is regulated by the New York State Department of Health. They regulate all in-home care across the state. Licensed agencies in New York may Home health aides, personal care services and some nursing services at the client’s home. 

Considerations When Looking for Care in Buffalo

Buffalo summers are characterized by abundant sunshine, with moderate humidity and temperatures the city benefits from cool, southwestern Lake Erie summer breezes which temper warmer temperatures. Lake Erie affects the snow in buffalo giving it unique winter characteristics, but it is rarely the snowiest city in New York. With a population of 276,807 and over 100 home care providers, these features and more have led to Buffalo becoming a preferred location for senior citizens to retire.

Cities Near Buffalo 

  • Niagara Falls – 19 miles north
  • West Seneca – 10 miles east
  • Williamsville – 14 miles east
  • East Aurora – 20 miles south

Pricing and How to Pay for Home Care

The average cost of non-medical in-home care in New York is $5,350 / month. This is higher than the national average of $5,000 / month. There are several economic regions of New York state where the cost of in-home care will vary. Costs across the state are affected by these economic conditions. Rochester: $5,750 Manhattan: $5,550 Syracuse: $5,925

How to pay for Home Care

Private Funds- YES:

  • Many families pay for care with private funds. 
  • Private pay can be a combination of retirement funds, personal savings, and pension payments. 
  • Family members may contribute funds toward a loved one’s care. 

Medicare – NO:

  • Medicare does NOT pay for Assisted Living.
  • People 65 years and older and individuals with end stage renal disease are eligible for Medicare benefits, no matter their income.
  • Coverage is meant for people in need of short-term care.

Medicaid- MAYBE

Medicaid MAY cover home care for seniors who are eligible. Each state has its own Medicaid programs in place. As a result, eligibility and services fluctuate state to state.  Funding may also be offered under the Home and Community Based Services Medicaid Waivers. 

In-home personal care services (dressing, bathing, eating, etc.) are not federally mandated, and some states do not even regulate these agencies.

Long-term care insurance- MAYBE:

  • The purpose of long-term care insurance is to cover senior care, which includes home care. Though, be aware that coverage varies depending on the insurance provider, the specific policy, and other factors. 
  • It is common that long-term care insurance will only start to cover care when the person with the policy requires assistance with two or more ADLs. 
  • As a result of the above, individuals who only need companion care may not be covered by their long-term care insurance.  
  • Typically, purchasing long-term care insurance is not an option if you are at the point where you already need care. 

Veteran Aid and Assistance – MAYBE:

This benefit is available to some military veterans and surviving spouses who live in an assisted living community and those who have in-home care.

  • There are specific guidelines, but a veteran may qualify for as much as $2,050 each month.
  • A veteran with a sick spouse may be eligible for $1,600 per month.
  • If a veteran has passed, their surviving spouse can qualify for $1,300 per month.

Private Pay

  • Many families pay for care with private funds.
  • Family members may contribute funds toward the care of a loved one.
  • Private pay may be a combination of personal savings, retirement funds, or pension payments.

Questions and inquiries about home care

Agency Information

  • Is the agency RN operated?
  • Is the agency a franchise or locally owned and operated?
  • Is the agency licensed by WA State Department of Health?
  • Is the agency licensed for both home care and home health?
  • Does the agency have liability insurance?
  • Can the agency respond to you 24/7?

Caregiver Information

  • Are employees licensed, bonded & insured? Or are they independent contractors?
  • Does the agency test skills, conduct behavioral interviews and verify caregiver credentials?
  • Are caregivers required to have current certifications for First Aid, CPR, and TB?
  • Are caregivers provided continuing education/training?
  • Can authorized individuals monitor care and make requests online in real time?
  • Does the agency offer caregiver replacement when the “fit” may not be right?

Documentation and Supervision

  • Does an RN/MSW/Care Manager conduct a free home care assessment?
  • Does an RN/MSW/Care Manager create a home care plan?
  • Does an RN/MSW/Care Manager supervise the caregivers?
  • Do caregivers receive client orientation before arriving at a client’s home?

Policies and Cost

  • Can services be cancelled with a 4-hour notification?
  • Does the agency offer flexible scheduling, custom care plans, and  a continuum of care?
  • Does the agency have weekly or monthly minimums?
  • What is the hourly minimum per shift?
  • Does the agency offer home care discounts?
  • What is the required deposit?
  • Will the agency accept long-term care insurance?

Local Hospital and Healthcare Providers 

Mercy Hospital of Buffalo

565 Abbott Rd

Sisters of Charity Hospital

2157 Main St

Kenmore Mercy Hospital

2950 Elmwood Ave

ECMC – Erie County Medical Center

462 Grider St

Sisters Hospital Foundation

2157 Main St

Adult Protective Services The New York State Office for the Aging’s (NYSOFA’s) home and community-based programs provide older adults with access to a well-planned, coordinated package of in-home and other supportive services designed to support and supplement informal care. NYSOFA’s overall goal is to improve access to, and availability of, appropriate and cost-effective non-medical support services for older individuals to maximize their ability to age in their community and avoid higher levels of care and publicly financed care. NYSOFA achieves this through our network of 59 area agencies on aging. This network provides the following core services in coordination with local partners

New York State Office of Children and Family Services Bureau of Adult Services We accomplish these goals by partnering with hundreds of community-based organizations to provide services through older adult centers, naturally occurring retirement communities, case-management and home-care agencies, home-delivered meal programs, mental health and friendly visiting programs, and much more in each borough.

Legal Services NYC Legal Services NYC fights poverty and seeks racial, social, and economic justice for low-income New Yorkers.

Health Insurance Information Counseling and Assistance Program (HIICAP) HIICAP counselors help seniors and their caregivers to understand Medicare and other health insurance options and benefits.

Eldercare Locator This is a great resource to search for specific care in specific counties and cities. This database is a nationwide resource that connects older Americans and their caregivers with trustworthy local support resources. Connect with services such as meals, home care or transportation, or a caregiver education or respite from caregiving responsibilities. The Eldercare Locator is a public service of the Administration on Aging (AoA), an agency of the U.S. Administration for Community Living.

Medicare provides a search feature to find & compare providers near you, most senior housing and care providers are included on CareAvailability.com. Find & compare plans in your area. Determine if you qualify for premium savings

Medicaid offers information on how to apply for Medicaid, eligibility criteria, links to local state offices, and additional resources

The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s care, support, and research. Whether you are living with Alzheimer’s or caring for someone with the disease, information and resources are available.

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Written by The Care Availability Team
Experts in the senior care & retirement living industries

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