ADRC Individual Voucher Programs

The Larimer County Office on Aging has two voucher programs designed to help adults age 60 and beyond remain in their homes and live in the community as safely and independently as possible.  Eligibility is not based on income.

Demand for these voucher programs routinely exceeds capacity and there is often a waiting list for these programs, so we encourage you to contact us and apply today. 

A home health professional assists an older adult

 

Do you have trouble completing homemaker or personal care tasks?

You may qualify for the Office on Aging’s In-Home Services Voucher Program. This program partners with licensed home care agencies to provide homemaker and personal care services.

Approved individuals typically receive two hours of homemaker services either every week or every other week, depending on the individual’s needs. One additional hour per week may be added to those who are also approved for personal care services.

Homemaker Services

Homemaker services consist of light housekeeping to maintain an adequate living environment when the individual responsible for these activities is unable to manage the home and care for themselves.

Light housekeeping duties include tasks such as:

  • Dusting, mopping, vacuuming, sweeping, wiping counters and stove top, gathering trash, cleaning bathrooms, making the bed, discarding food and washing dishes

Light housekeeping does not include:

  • The use of ladders, standing on chairs, scrubbing floors on hands and knees, moving furniture or boxes

Personal Care Services

Personal care services are provided to individuals of non-weight bearing status. Personal care services consist of stand-by assistance with showering, dressing, organizing clothing, and hair grooming.

In order to qualify, individuals must:

  • Reside in Larimer County and be 60 years or older.
  • Be unable to perform at least two Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs) without substantial human assistance (homemaker services).*
  • Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs) include meal preparation, housework, laundry, shopping, accessing resources, transportation, using the telephone and medication, appointment and money management.
  • Be unable to perform at least two Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) without substantial human assistance (personal care services).*
  • Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) include mobility, transfers, bladder and bowel care, bathing, dressing, eating and hygiene.
  • Not be approved for Long Term Care Medicaid benefits.

* Substantial human assistance includes verbal reminding, physical cueing, or other direct supervision.

In-Home Services Voucher Guidelines & Expectations:

  • Every six months, the Office on Aging will contact you to update the assessment and to review your care needs and services. If you continue to meet eligibility criteria, your In-Home Services Voucher may be reauthorized every six months as long as there is available funding. Provider agencies are required to complete a home visit once every ninety (90) days for your services to continue.
  • Individuals who are approved for Long Term Care Medicaid benefits are not eligible to receive an In-Home Services Voucher. Your voucher will terminate if you are approved  or Long Term Care Medicaid when you start receiving benefits.
  • If an individual with an In-Home Services Voucher is hospitalized or out of the home for a period of time, the voucher can be placed on-hold for up to 30-days. If an individual is out of the home for more than 30-days, the voucher is subject to termination, but the individual can request another voucher when they return home.
  • Homemaker services can only be provided when the individual with the voucher is residing in the home and cannot be provided if the individual is not physically present in the home.
  • The home care agency will use your cleaning products, vacuum and mop; they do not provide equipment, laundry detergent or cleaning products.
  • Individuals with voucher services must be home and available at the scheduled service time. Services will be scheduled in advance and we request that you provide a minimum of 24-hours’ notice if you are not going to be available at your scheduled time.
  • Providers have the right to refuse service to individuals when the provider’s health or safety is deemed to be at risk, and/or if the individual is verbally or physically abusive to the provider. If the Office on Aging is unable to find a secondary agency that can meet your needs, your services may be subject to termination.
Contact us today at (970) 498-7750 or email aging@larimer.org to learn more or apply.

 

Are you unable to perform the chores or tasks around the home due to limited physical ability or endurance?

If you are age 60 or beyond, you may qualify for the Chore Voucher Program. This assistance is intended to enhance quality of life and safety for older adults who are unable to perform more physical chores in their home.

Chore Vouchers are available for:

  • Seasonal chores such as lawn mowing or snow removal.
  • Chores that require getting up on ladders such as, cleaning gutters, trimming overhanging tree branches, window washing and  replacing light bulbs.
  • Chores that require physical strength or endurance such as trimming shrubs or tree branches, fixing fencing or steps, cleaning carpets and moving heavy boxes, furniture or appliances.

Chore Voucher Guidelines:

  • To be eligible for a chore voucher, an individual must be 60 years of age or older and be experiencing physical limitations that substantially impairs one or more physical activities such as walking, climbing stairs, reaching, lifting or carrying.  Limitations may include issues with endurance, strength, or stamina that may prevent an individual from completing the chore. 
  • Voucher awards are based on the cost of the specific chore(s) requested and we ask that you get estimates and only make requests for chores that you intend to complete within 90-days of the request. Requests for services cannot exceed $250 per six-month voucher period.  Only one voucher will be awarded per household.
  • There are two voucher periods in a funding year July 1 – December 31 and January 1 – June 30. Chore vouchers are issued throughout the year as funding permits. Vouchers are non-transferrable and must be used in the designated voucher period by the person to whom it was issued. 
  • All services and the dollar amount must be pre-authorized by the Office on Aging prior to the work being completed for the service to be eligible for reimbursement. 
  • The chore voucher program is a self-directed program. Individuals must find their own provider. To be reimbursed, voucher recipients must submit a signed reimbursement form and invoice(s) from the provider(s).  Reimbursements cannot be made directly to the provider and chore services cannot be completed by a family member whether living in the home or not. 
Contact us today at (970) 498-7750 or email aging@larimer.org to learn more or apply.