Program Description
The Homemaker Program provides Nevada residents with a variety of non-medical assistance to help elderly and / or disabled individuals remain living in their homes. Although, this phrase may not be used officially within Nevada, the Homemaker Program is a “nursing home diversion program.” These are programs intended to keep individuals in need of care from becoming destitute, going on Medicaid, and being placed in nursing homes.
Nevada offers homemaker services through the use of its Community Partners throughout Nevada, by region.
Services are provided free of charge, but donations of up to $4 / hour are sometimes requested. According to Genworth’s cost of care calculator, at the time of this writing, the average cost of hourly, non-medical, home care in Nevada is $27. Therefore, this program offers families considerable cost savings.
This program is available statewide and is administered by the Nevada Aging and Disability Services Division (ADSD) of the Department of Health & Human Services.
Eligibility Guidelines
General Requirements
Age
Program participants must be either 60+ years of age or designated as disabled by the Social Security Administration if under 60.
Residency
Candidates must be Nevada residents and must reside in a non-institutional environment (such as at home or in the home of a family member). One cannot reside in an assisted living residence.
Functional Need
Participants must have a need for assistance to manage homemaker tasks. This means the applicant must be functionally unable, because of mobility, cognitive, or sensory challenges, to live at home without assistance. Typical, homemaker tasks include cleaning, meal preparation, doing laundry, and shopping for essentials.
Support System
Participants must have a lack of support, meaning that they have no one to assist them with the homemaker tasks for which they require help.
Financial Requirements
Financial eligibility is determined by the Community Partner. See the table below to find your Community Partner.
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Community Partner
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Phone
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County
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Churchill County Social Services
|
775-423-7096
|
Churchill
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|
Douglas County Senior Services
|
775-782-5500 Ex. 1999
|
Douglas
|
|
Friends in Service Helping (FISH)
|
775-738-3038
|
Elko, Lander
|
|
Jewish Family Services Agency
|
702-732-0304
|
Clark
|
|
Lincoln County Human Services
|
775-962-8084
|
Lincoln
|
|
Lyon County Human Services
|
775-577-5009
|
Lyon
|
|
Mt. Grant General Hospital
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775-945-5700
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Mineral
|
|
Nevada Rural RSVP
|
775-687-4680
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Carson City, Humboldt, Lincoln, Lyon, Nye, Mineral, Storey, White Pine
|
|
Storey County Senior Center
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775-847-0957
|
Storey
|
|
Washoe County Senior Services
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775-328-2575
|
Washoe
|
Benefits and Services
Services may vary by county, with the availability of funding and, of course, with the needs of the Homemaker Program participant. Most beneficiaries receive between 6-10 hours / month of assistance. The range of services provided by the Family Support Workers can include:
- Household Paperwork
- Housekeeping
- Laundry
- Meal Planning & Preparation
- Other Errands
- Shopping for Groceries, Medications and other Essential Items
To protect the support worker and the program participant, there are certain household chores and errands that are intentionally excluded from the range of services that can be provided. Examples include moving anything weighing over 40 pounds, dispensing medications, yard work, and risky chores, such as cleaning roofs, gutters, and washing exterior windows.
How to Apply / Learn More
For additional information about the Homemaker Program, click here. To apply, one should contact the Community Partner for their county. In previous years, there has been a waiting list for participation in this program.
