Older woman and daughter relaxing on a couch Older woman and daughter relaxing on a couch

Home & Community-Based Services

The Area Agency on Aging is dedicated to helping you remain independent.

We are a part of the Aging and Disability Resource Network, coordinating assorted services available in your own home or in your community through our 250+ provider partners. No matter your age, get in touch, and our registered nurses and social workers can help determine your eligibility for our programs or other community resources. You can also find more information about our programs below.

Step 1: Who Do I Call?

HOME & COMMUNITY BASED SERVICES

For questions or to request an assessment in Clark, Greene, and Montgomery counties; call 937-223-HELP or request a call.

CATHOLIC SOCIAL SERVICES OF THE MIAMI VALLEY

Catholic Social Services of the Miami Valley manages the same home care programs in Champaign, Darke, Logan, Miami, Preble, and Shelby counties. Call 800-521-6419 or request a call for services in these counties.

Step 2: In-Home Assessment

WHAT INFORMATION SHOULD I HAVE READY FOR MY ASSESSMENT?

In order for the assessor to determine your eligibility for in-home assistance, you must be willing to provide the following information at the time of assessment:

  • Social Security card
  • Medicare card, if you have one
  • Proof of age
  • Proof of income
  • Insurance documents
  • Proof of assets
  • Your doctors’ names, addresses, and phone numbers
  • Your medical concerns
  • Medicines and treatments you are receiving
  • Names of family or friends who help you
  • Names of any agencies currently providing help

WHAT TO EXPECT

A nurse or social worker visits you in your home to assess your needs and discuss options. You will answer many questions and the assessor will observe your level of independence. The assessor will need to review documentation of income and assets to make a preliminary determination about your eligibility for in-home assistance.

During the assessment visit, you will discuss with staff the areas where you need help at home and services available to you. A care plan with a package of services is then developed to meet your needs. This collaborative effort includes staff, the individual receiving services, and caregivers.

Home health aide helps older adult walk in his house.

PASSPORT

PASSPORT is for people age 60 and older who need the level of care and support provided in a facility but want to stay in their home. It is a statewide program funded by Medicaid. Those who qualify for PASSPORT work with a nurse or social worker to develop a plan of care that customizes services. Once enrolled, a case manager works with them to be sure needs are met with quality services, and that the plan of care is adjusted as needs change.

HOW DO I QUALIFY FOR PASSPORT?

  • The primary criteria for enrollment in PASSPORT are age, level of care, and income.
  • You must be at least 60 years old.
  • You need the same level of care as someone in a nursing home — extensive help with personal care or requiring 24-hour supervision to prevent harm.  Level of care is determined at the initial assessment.
  • You must qualify for the Medicaid waiver, but do not assume that you will be ineligible if you have been denied traditional Medicaid in the past.  The assessor will determine your Medicaid eligibility during the initial home visit.

HOW MUCH DOES THIS COST?

  • There is no charge for an in-home assessment to discuss your needs and options.
  • There is no charge for PASSPORT services if you are under a set income level.  If you are over the income level, you may choose to pay a monthly amount determined at the time of enrollment or decline enrollment.
Adult woman shares flower with mother in a wheelchair

ComCare

ComCare is for Montgomery County residents over the age of 60 who need limited assistance to remain independent at home. It can also offer services to support those caring for a loved one. Those who qualify for ComCare meet with a team member to develop a plan of care that customizes services to assist them at home. Once enrolled, a case manager works with them to be sure needs are met with quality services, and that the plan of care is adjusted as needs change.

HOW DO I QUALIFY FOR COMCARE?

The primary criteria for enrollment in ComCare are age and level of care.

  • You must be at least 60 years old.
  • Level of care is based on the type and amount of help you need with tasks such as personal care and household chores.

 

HOW MUCH DOES THIS COST?

There is no charge for an in-home assessment to discuss your needs and options. There is a sliding-scale fee for ComCare services. Whether or not you pay a portion of the service cost is based on your income and assets. The cost for services (if any) is determined at the assessment, and you may choose to accept or decline enrollment at that time.

WHO DECIDES WHAT SERVICES I WILL HAVE?

During the assessment visit, you will discuss with staff the areas where you need help at home and services available to you. A care plan with a package of services is then developed to meet your needs. This collaborative effort includes staff, the senior receiving services, and caregivers.

 

HOW SOON CAN I GET HELP?

Due to high demand and limited funding, you may be placed on a waiting list until services are available. The ComCare program is supported by the Montgomery County Human Services Levy.

Assisted living staff watches residents enjoy card game

Assisted Living Waiver

Assisted living bridges the gap between independent living and nursing home care. It typically offers assistance with the activities of daily living and ensures residents have access to staff 24 hours a day. The Assisted Living Waiver program is one of the long-term care options available statewide to Medicaid recipients and offers an alternative to nursing facility placement.

WHAT CARE CAN I RECEIVE?

Assisted living residences vary considerably, but most provide meals, housekeeping, laundry, transportation, and social activities. They also offer personal care, such as assistance with eating, bathing, grooming, and personal hygiene. Some nursing care is also provided, including medication administration and dressing changes. Click here for a statewide list of Assisted Living providers.

 

FREE IN-HOME ASSESSMENT

Call 937-223-HELP for your free in-home assessment. A nurse or social worker visits you in your home to assess your needs and discuss options. You will answer many questions and the assessor will observe your level of independence. The assessor will need to review documentation of income and assets to make a preliminary determination about your eligibility for the Assisted Living Waiver.

HOW DO I QUALIFY FOR ASSISTED LIVING WAIVER?

The waiver provides Medicaid-eligible adults more support than in-home care but offers more independence and privacy than skilled nursing facilities and in a home-like setting. You must meet all eligibility requirements for enrollment in the waiver, including:

  • Age 21 or older
  • Medicaid eligible
  • Requires specific level of care criteria to be met
  • Care needs that can be safely met in an assisted living setting

If you qualify for Medicaid but are not currently enrolled, the assessor can assist with the completion of the Medicaid application. You must then follow up with the application process through the Department of Job and Family Services.

Older adult woman enjoys cup of coffee at her table

MyCare Ohio

The Agency contracts with Buckeye Health Plan and Molina Healthcare to coordinate services for people aged 60 and older who are eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid. This pilot program applies to residents of Clark, Greene, and Montgomery counties, and it aims to provide more coordinated care, increase efficiency, and save taxpayer dollars.

Older adult couple dance and smile in their house.

Older American Act Funding

The Agency administers federal Older Americans Act (OAA) and state funding for the nine-county area for planning, developing, and coordinating home- and community-based services. Signed into law in 1965, the OAA created the network of Area Agencies on Aging across the country that responds to the needs of older adults and advocates on their behalf.

SERVICES

This funding supports a regional network of service providers to deliver a wide range of community services that include:

  • Nutrition Services
    • Congregate Meals
    • Home-Delivered Meals
    • Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP)
  • Transportation
  • Personal Care
  • Housekeeping
  • Adult Day Service
  • Home Repair
  • Wellness Programs
  • Legal Assistance
  • Caregiver Support
  • Long-term Care Ombudsman
  • Alzheimer’s Services
  • Protective and Supportive Services
  • Senior Volunteer Services
  • Emergency Response System
  • Case Management
  • Medicare Savings Programs
  • Utility Assistance

NUTRITION SERVICES PROGRAM

The Nutrition Services Program is the largest OAA program, supporting both home-delivered meals and congregate meal sites in each of our nine counties. OAA-funded wellness programs help older individuals remain independent within their communities and are funded in part by a Title III grant under the Older Americans Act administered by the Ohio Department of Aging.

Wellness Programs

Learn about available programs in our nine-county region that empower participants to develop healthy habits and explore other topics that support their definition of successful aging.

Caregiver Support

Caregivers need care too. The Area Agency on Aging is here to partner with you in providing the best care to your loved one, and to remind you how important it is to also care for yourself.