A live-in aid is a professional caregiver who lives with an elderly or disabled tenant to provide healthcare services that they cannot perform themselves, such as bathing, grooming, dressing and feeding. They may offer other support too such as transportation to appointments.
These services tend to be less costly than full-time home health or nursing home care, though the final cost depends on a resident’s income and housing expenses. Medicaid may cover some costs for live-in aids as well, though this varies by state.
Definition
A live-in aide is a healthcare worker that resides in the patient’s home to provide round-the-clock assistance. They may be professional caregivers, family members or friends.
A professional live-in aide can quickly become part of the client’s daily routine and provides consistency and assurance throughout the day. Furthermore, they may be the first to notice any changes in health status, providing valuable insights that SelectCare and family members can use to improve client care quality.
Property owners often ponder if a spouse or other family member can be considered a live-in aid. Unfortunately, the Americans with Disabilities Act does not specifically address this matter; however, there is plenty of case law and HUD rules that have provided guidance in this area. As a general guideline, tenants who can document that they have a disability related need for such services should not be excluded from reasonable accommodation requests.
Requirements
A live-in aide is an individual who lives in the home of a disabled or elderly tenant to provide daily assistance. This could be someone like a friend, family member, or hired healthcare worker.
A person providing live-in aid must meet HUD requirements and be a licensed health care provider or other medical practitioner who can certify the aide is essential to the tenant’s care and wellbeing. Furthermore, they must pass through a criminal background check in order to remain in the unit as long as the disabled or elderly tenant requires their services.
Some affordable housing programs have specific rules regarding live-in aides, so it’s best to contact the property owner or manager to learn more about their specific requirements and policies. Usually, a letter from a physician, psychiatrist, or other qualified healthcare practitioner is necessary to confirm that the tenant meets eligibility requirements and that the aide meets program specifications.
Qualifications
A live-in aide is an individual who lives in the housing unit with a disabled or elderly tenant to provide any necessary care that the resident cannot manage without assistance. This service is essential for tenants’ well-being and required by HUD and fair housing regulations.
If a tenant requires live-in assistance, they can request one by filling out an Accommodation Request form. This request must also include confirmation from a healthcare practitioner that the tenant has a disability and requires the assistance.
Some affordable housing programs will not increase a tenant’s rent after they request live-in assistance. However, some do, depending on the type of assistance the tenant is using.
Applicability
In the real world, live-in aid is typically provided by professional home health care providers. It’s a popular option for elderly or disabled patients who require help with daily tasks like grooming, dressing and eating.
Seniors with multiple chronic illnesses who require frequent infusions or medication replacement often turn to live-in aides for assistance. However, this service should only be considered in certain circumstances.
As with other services requiring a substantial investment of time and money, the most efficient way to manage this service is by creating clear policies and procedures. This includes using an approved Live-In Aide Request Form, informing staff on program rules and regulations, as well as providing training to new hires. Furthermore, monitoring software can be utilized in order to guarantee that aides fulfill their contractual responsibilities.