Short-term care helps Central Texans 60 years of age and older remain at home by assisting with activities of daily living on a short-term basis.
Care Coordination is an ongoing process to assess and meet the identified needs as mutually defined by the individual, health care staff, and family member(s) or caregiver(s). Short-term care is a priority for those who:
- Have recently suffered a health care crisis or been hospitalized (within 30 days)
- Have moderate to severe functional impairment (determined during in-home assessment by Care Coordinator)
- Require two or more Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) such as meal preparation, bathing, dressing, or light housekeeping and laundry
- Are in great economic or social need, with particular emphasis on low-income minority persons
- Have a limited support system
Services for homebound, older individuals with compromised health which establish an automatic monitoring system linking to emergency medical services when the individual’s life or safety is in jeopardy. ERS services include:
- installation of the individual monitoring unit
- key lockbox and training associated with the use of the system
- periodic checking to ensure that the unit is functioning properly
- equipment maintenance calls
- response to an emergency call by a medical professional, para-professional or volunteer
- follow-up with the older individual
Services to maintain a healthy lifestyle, including:
- Health education and counseling services for individuals or groups about lifestyles and daily activities.
- Programs in the prevention or reduction of the effects of chronic disabling conditions.
- Provision of medications, nutritional supplements, glasses, dentures, hearing aids or other devices necessary to promote or maintain the health and/or safety of the older individual.
Services to help the recipient sustain independent living in a safe and healthful home environment. These services are provided by trained and supervised homemakers involving:
- the performance of housekeeping and home management
- meal preparation
- escort tasks
- shopping assistance
Assisting an older individual having difficulty in performing a minimum of two activities of daily living identified in the assessment process, with tasks an individual would typically perform if they were able. This covers assistance in all activities of daily living.