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On the Phone

FAQs

  • What is Affordable Senior Services?
    Affordable Senior Services provides uplifting in-home care that considers a client’s physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. We provide companionship care services such as meal preparation, laundry, light housekeeping, grocery shopping/errands, incidental transportation, medication reminders, grooming, live-in service and . We also provide a wide range of personal in-home care services. This includes bathing, grooming, hygiene, mobility assistance, transferring/positioning, toileting/incontinence, and feeding/special diet assistance. We also provide Dementia/Alzheimer’s care. Services may vary by plan of care.
  • What are your types of care? In-home care, Caregiver, Home health aide, Dementia/Alzheimer’s)"
    Every Affordable Senior Services caregiver is an employee who is carefully screened and trained before caring for a client. Each must undergo a rigorous process including national and local criminal background checks, DMV, and personal and professional reference checks. All Affordable Senior Services employees are bonded, insured, and covered by Workers’ Compensation insurance for our clients’ peace-of-mind. Caregivers are screened for empathy and trained to provide the highest quality in-home care.
  • Do you provide services on short notice?
    Yes. We understand that situations can arise where one needs in-home care services in a hurry. We can provide services on an as-needed basis.
  • What is a plan of care?
    Affordable Senior Services develops a custom, individualized and completely confidential Plan of Care for each client. This describes the home care services needed and when the client would like to initiate care. Care plans include tasks and goals to help caregivers provide the best physical, mental and emotional wellbeing care. Once a client and their loved ones agree on a plan with the Executive Director, staff will use that information to recommend who will be delivering the service, establish the schedule and develop a strategy for ongoing communication. Plans of Care are reviewed with the client and family at least every six months, based on state regulations. The review ensures that new goals and needs are addressed and gives Affordable Senior Services the opportunity to ensure that the client and their family is pleased with the care being provided.
  • Who qualifies for Affordable Senior Services?
    Fill out our Pre-assessment form to find out if you pre-qualify!
  • What form of Payment do you accept?
    For Personal Care, Private Duty, and Companionship Services are usual paid by private-pay, long-term care insurance, veterans benefits, Medicaid, workers’ compensation, and/or health insurance as long as the care is medically necessary and the patient meets certain coverage requirements.
  • How much does in-home care cost?
    The cost of in-home care varies greatly by state, circumstance, the type and level of care that will be provided.
  • Does VA pay for in-home care?
    Veterans and their surviving spouses may qualify for VA benefits to cover some of the cost of in-home care. VA programs were designed for those who meet specific financial criteria and demonstrate physical need for in-home care. Contact Affordable Senior Services to find out more about in-home care and veteran’s benefits.
  • Does long term health insurance cover in-home care?
    Long-term care insurance can help pay the costs of care. For seniors that do have long-term care insurance, our office can help answer questions about the paperwork needed to start using this specialized type of coverage.
  • Does Medicare cover or pay for in-home care?
    Medicare does not cover in-home care. Medicare Advantage plans may be available. This varies so check your plan for additional details.
  • Does Medicaid cover or pay for in-home care?
    Medicaid, the largest public payor for long-term care, may cover some in-home care services. A Medicaid provider or our office can answer questions about in-home care coverage.
  • What are your COVID-19 precautions?
    Before each care visit, we confirm that caregivers and clients comply with the current CDC guidance for safety, including being free of COVID-19 symptoms and free from high-risk COVID-19 exposures. This allows our staff to work together with families, seniors, and caregivers to create the safest possible care environment. If any of our caregivers or their clients should show signs or symptoms of COVID-19, we will report and abide by national and local guidelines. · Our caregivers must follow an established protocol to stay home if they are ill for any reason. · Our caregivers are trained in best practices for infection prevention and control. · Our caregivers must wear a face mask when in the home and within six feet of a client. · Our caregivers follow hygiene procedures as directed by the CDC, including vigorous and frequent handwashing with soap and water, the routine use of hand sanitizer (with 70% alcohol level or higher), and proper coughing and sneezing techniques.
  • Privacy Policy
    Affordable Senior Services HIPAA NOTICE OF PRIVACY PRACTICES Effective Date: 01/01/2022 THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES HOW MEDICAL INFORMATION ABOUT YOU MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED AND HOW YOU CAN OBTAIN ACCESS TO THIS INFORMATION. PLEASE REVIEW IT CAREFULLY. The terms of this Notice of Privacy Practices apply to Affordable Senior Services, its affiliates and its employees. Affordable Senior Services will share protected health information of patients as necessary to carry out treatment, payment, and health care operations as permitted by law. We are required by law to maintain the privacy of our patients' protected health information and to provide patients with notice of our legal duties and privacy practices with respect to protected health information. We are required to abide by the terms of this Notice for as long as it remains in effect. We reserve the right to change the terms of this Notice as necessary and to make a new notice of privacy practices effective for all protected health information maintained by Affordable Senior Services. We are required to notify you in the event of a breach of your unsecured protected health information. We are also required to inform you that there may be a provision of state law that relates to the privacy of your health information that may be more stringent than a standard or requirement under the Federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (“HIPAA”). A copy of any revised Notice of Privacy Practices or information pertaining to a specific State law may be obtained by mailing a request to the Privacy Officer at the address below. USES AND DISCLOSURES OF YOUR PROTECTED HEALTH INFORMATION: Authorization and Consent: Except as outlined below, we will not use or disclose your protected health information for any purpose other than treatment, payment or health care operations unless you have signed a form authorizing such use or disclosure. You have the right to revoke such authorization in writing, with such revocation being effective once we actually receive the writing; however, such revocation shall not be effective to the extent that we have taken any action in reliance on the authorization, or if the authorization was obtained as a condition of obtaining insurance coverage, other law provides the insurer with the right to contest a claim under the policy or the policy itself. Uses and Disclosures for Treatment: We will make uses and disclosures of your protected health information as necessary for your treatment. Doctors and nurses and other professionals involved in your care will use information in your medical record and information that you provide about your symptoms and reactions to your course of treatment that may include procedures, medications, tests, medical history, etc. Uses and Disclosures for Payment: We will make uses and disclosures of your protected health information as necessary for payment purposes. During the normal course of business operations, we may forward information regarding your medical procedures and treatment to your insurance company to arrange payment for the services provided to you. We may also use your information to prepare a bill to send to you or to the person responsible for your payment. Uses and Disclosures for Health Care Operations: We will make uses and disclosures of your protected health information as necessary, and as permitted by law, for our health care operations, which may include clinical improvement, professional peer review, business management, accreditation and licensing, etc. For instance, we may use and disclose your protected health information for purposes of improving clinical treatment and patient care. Individuals Involved In Your Care: We may from time to time disclose your protected health information to designated family, friends and others who are involved in your care or in payment of your care in order to facilitate that person's involvement in caring for you or paying for your care. If you are unavailable, incapacitated, or facing an emergency medical situation and we determine that a limited disclosure may be in your best interest, we may share limited protected health information with such individuals without your approval. We may also disclose limited protected health information to a public or private entity that is authorized to assist in disaster relief efforts in order for that entity to locate a family member or other persons that may be involved in some aspect of caring for you. Business Associates: Certain aspects and components of our services are performed through contracts with outside persons or organizations, such as auditing, accreditation, outcomes data collection, legal services, etc. At times it may be necessary for us to provide your protected health information to one or more of these outside persons or organizations who assist us with our health care operations. In all cases, we require these associates to appropriately safeguard the privacy of your information. Appointments and Services: We may contact you to provide appointment updates or information about your treatment or other health-related benefits and services that may be of interest to you. You have the right to request and we will accommodate reasonable requests by you to receive communications regarding your protected health information from us by alternative means or at alternative locations. For instance, if you wish appointment reminders to not be left on voice mail or sent to a particular address, we will accommodate reasonable requests. With such request, you must provide an appropriate alternative address or method of contact. You also have the right to request that we not send you any future marketing materials and we will use our best efforts to honor such request. You must make such requests in writing, including your name and address, and send such writing to the Privacy Officer at the address below. Research: In limited circumstances, we may use and disclose your protected health information for research purposes. In all cases where your specific authorization is not obtained, your privacy will be protected by strict confidentiality requirements applied by an Institutional Review Board which oversees the research or by representations of the researchers that limit their use and disclosure of your information. Fundraising: We may use your information to contact you for fundraising purposes. We may disclose this contact information to a related foundation so that the foundation may contact you for similar purposes. If you do not want us or the foundation to contact you for fundraising efforts, you must send such request in writing to the Privacy Officer at the address below. Other Uses and Disclosures: We are permitted and/or required by law to make certain other uses and disclosures of your protected health information without your consent or authorization for the following: Any purpose required by law; Public health activities such as required reporting of immunizations, disease, injury, birth and death, or in connection with public health investigations; If we suspect child abuse or neglect; if we believe you to be a victim of abuse, neglect or domestic violence; To the Food and Drug Administration to report adverse events, product defects, or to participate in product recalls; To your employer when we have provided health care to you at the request of your employer; To a government oversight agency conducting audits, investigations, civil or criminal proceedings; Court or administrative ordered subpoena or discovery request; To law enforcement officials as required by law if we believe you have been the victim of abuse, neglect or domestic violence. We will only make this disclosure if you agree or when required or authorized by law; To coroners and/or funeral directors consistent with law; If necessary to arrange an organ or tissue donation from you or a transplant for you; If you are a member of the military, we may also release your protected health information for national security or intelligence activities; and To workers' compensation agencies for workers' compensation benefit determination. DISCLOSURES REQUIRING AUTHORIZATION: Psychotherapy Notes: We must obtain your specific written authorization prior to disclosing any psychotherapy notes unless otherwise permitted by law. However, there are certain purposes for which we may disclose psychotherapy notes, without obtaining your written authorization, including the following: (1) to carry out certain treatment, payment or healthcare operations (e.g., use for the purposes of your treatment, for our own training, and to defend ourselves in a legal action or other proceeding brought by you), (2) to the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services to determine our compliance with the law, (3) as required by law, (4) for health oversight activities authorized by law, (5) to medical examiners or coroners as permitted by state law, or (6) for the purposes of preventing or lessening a serious or imminent threat to the health or safety of a person or the public. Genetic Information: We must obtain your specific written authorization prior to using or disclosing your genetic information for treatment, payment or health care operations purposes. We may use or disclose your genetic information, or the genetic information of your child, without your written authorization only where it would be permitted by law. Marketing: We must obtain your authorization for any use or disclosure of your protected health information for marketing, except if the communication is in the form of (1) a face-to-face communication with you, or (2) a promotional gift of nominal value. Sale of Protected Information: We must obtain your authorization prior to receiving direct or indirect remuneration in exchange for your health information; however, such authorization is not required where the purpose of the exchange is for: Providing you with a copy of your health information or an accounting of disclosures; Disclosures required by law; Disclosures of your health information for any other purpose permitted by and in accordance with the Privacy Rule of HIPAA, as long as the only remuneration we receive is a reasonable, cost-based fee to cover the cost to prepare and transmit your health information for such purpose or is a fee otherwise expressly permitted by other law; or Any other exceptions allowed by the Department of Health and Human Services. RIGHTS THAT YOU HAVE REGARDING YOUR PROTECTED HEALTH INFORMATION: Access to Your Protected Health Information: You have the right to copy and/or inspect much of the protected health information that we retain on your behalf. For protected health information that we maintain in any electronic designated record set, you may request a copy of such health information in a reasonable electronic format, if readily producible. Requests for access must be made in writing and signed by you or your legal representative. You may obtain a "Patient Access to Health Information Form" from the front office person. You will be charged a reasonable copying fee and actual postage and supply costs for your protected health information. If you request additional copies you will be charged a fee for copying and postage. Amendments to Your Protected Health Information: You have the right to request in writing that protected health information that we maintain about you be amended or corrected. We are not obligated to make requested amendments, but we will give each request careful consideration. All amendment requests, must be in writing, signed by you or legal representative, and must state the reasons for the amendment/correction request. If an amendment or correction request is made, we may notify others who work with us if we believe that such notification is necessary. You may obtain an "Amendment Request Form" from the front office person or individual responsible for medical records. Accounting for Disclosures of Your Protected Health Information: You have the right to receive an accounting of certain disclosures made by us of your protected health information after April 14, 2003. Requests must be made in writing and signed by you or your legal representative. "Accounting Request Forms" are available from the front office person or individual responsible for medical records. The first accounting in any 12-month period is free; you will be charged a fee for each subsequent accounting you request within the same 12-month period. You will be notified of the fee at the time of your request. Restrictions on Use and Disclosure of Your Protected Health Information: You have the right to request restrictions on uses and disclosures of your protected health information for treatment, payment, or health care operations. We are not required to agree to most restriction requests, but will attempt to accommodate reasonable requests when appropriate. You do, however, have the right to restrict disclosure of your protected health information to a health plan if the disclosure is for the purpose of carrying out payment or health care operations and is not otherwise required by law, and the protected health information pertains solely to a health care item or service for which you, or someone other than the health plan on your behalf, has paid Affordable Senior Services in full. If we agree to any discretionary restrictions, we reserve the right to remove such restrictions as we appropriate. We will notify you if we remove a restriction imposed in accordance with this paragraph. You also have the right to withdraw, in writing or orally, any restriction by communicating your desire to do so to the individual responsible for medical records. Right to Notice of Breach: We take very seriously the confidentiality of our patients’ information, and we are required by law to protect the privacy and security of your protected health information through appropriate safeguards. We will notify you in the event a breach occurs involving or potentially involving your unsecured health information and inform you of what steps you may need to take to protect yourself. Paper Copy of this Notice: You have a right, even if you have agreed to receive notices electronically, to obtain a paper copy of this Notice. To do so, please submit a request to the Privacy Officer at the address below. Complaints: If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you can file a complaint in writing with the Privacy Officer. You may also file a complaint with the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services at the below address. There will be no retaliation for filing a complaint. Office for Civil Rights Department of HHS Barbara Stampul, Regional Manager Office for Civil Rights U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Sam Nunn Atlanta Federal Center, Suite 16T70 61 Forsyth Street, S.W. Atlanta, GA 30303-8909 Customer Response Center: (800) 368-1019 Fax: (202) 619-3818 TDD :(800) 537-7697 Email: ocrmail@hhs.gov For Further Information: If you have questions, need further assistance regarding or would like to submit a request pursuant to this Notice, you may contact the Affordable Senior Services Privacy Officer by phone at 404-372-6817 or at the following address: 2302 Parklake Drive Suite 563 Atlanta, GA 30345. This Notice of Privacy Practices is also available on our Affordable Senior Services FAQs web page at www.AffordableSeniorServices.com/FAQs
  • How can I help keep my loved one from getting depressed? He/She fees isolated.
    For seniors, maintaining social connections and staying in touch with loved ones not only improves quality of life, it improves health. During this time of social distancing and virtual get-togethers, it is important for seniors and their loved ones to make thoughtful plans to connect. This can include: Regularly scheduled phone and video chats – Regular calls and touchpoints can help seniors stay connected to friends and family across the country. There are many free options for video meetings, and families can consider gifting their senior loved ones a tablet or other device for those that may not have one. Togetherness Activities – For older adults, planning activities reduces lack of contact. Virtual activities, or in-person for those in the same household, can include good conversation, cooking and eating together, reading together, playing games, scrapbooking, or listening to music. And, studies show that planning and looking forward to an event can have mental health benefits too! Online Interaction – Seniors may enjoy virtual meetups, online worship services, Facebook trivia night, virtual communities focused on hobbies, and other online activities can help people connect to others in their community without leaving home. Virtual Volunteers – For seniors looking for a sense of purpose, there are opportunities to volunteer to help others from the comfort of home. This can include building Easter baskets for children’s charities, sewing quilts for shelters, writing cards for military service members overseas and other activities that allow people to do good works in their free time. Isolation and loneliness can be signs that a senior lacks the support and tools needed to live a healthy, independent life. However, with planning and deliberate action, fostering positive relationships and connections can be incredibly rewarding for everyone involved.
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