The Family Home Health Aide program was recently created in Florida to address the statewide nursing shortage and also provide family members with an opportunity to be compensated for the care they already provide at home. As a Family Home Health Aide, you will be responsible for:
- Providing physical assistance to your loved one. It includes helping them move, exercise, dress up, walk, and go to bed.
- Cleaning and maintaining the devices used for care delivery for complex needs.
- Medication administration and monitoring.
- Helping your loved one in need of transportation for appointments and other activities.
- Identifying potential emergencies in the home.
- Coordinating with the nurse that comes into the home to provide Skilled Nursing care.
- Emotional support and companionship to your family members in need.
Eligibility and Requirements
Becoming a Family Home Health Aide in need is a highly fulfilling but demanding job. The scope of responsibility requires interested candidates to meet specific criteria before being granted authorization.
- Residency: All Family Home Health Aides must reside in the state of Florida. Abby Care currently only serves patients in Miami-Dade County but will be expanding to neighboring areas soon.
- Age: Family Home Health Aides must be at least 18 years old and, at Abby Care, they must be caring for a patient under 18 years of age.
- Relationship: A FHHA must be a family member of the care recipient, meaning they are a parent, sibling, uncle, aunt, grandparent, or other related member of the family.
- Background Check: The Agency for Health Care Administration requires all caregivers to undergo a Level II background check before delivery of care.
- FHHA Training: Family Home Health Aides undergo rigorous training to ensure they have the skills to care for their loved one at home. This is a combination of online, in-office, and at-home skills trainings, which typically take 4-6 weeks to complete.
- Nursing Requirements: To qualify for the Family Home Health Aide program, the patient also must qualify for Skilled Nursing services in the home.
- Physician’s Orders: The patient seeking Family Home Health services will require a face-to-face appointment with their Primary Care Physician as well as written orders for Home Health services. This will outline the number of hours prescribed for the patient.
- Medicaid Authorization: The patient’s Medicaid plan will need to approve the Plan of Care submitted to them before commending services
After these elements are finalized, you will be a Family Home Health Aide! Abby Care will help you navigate through these stages of the process, assisting you with all of the documentation and costs you may encounter throughout this stage!
How to Apply to Become a Family Home Health Aide (FHHA) in Florida
Applying to become a paid caregiver for your loved one in Florida involves a few specific steps, which include:
- Determine Eligibility: Check with your Medicaid case manager to see if the Family Home Health Aide program is a good fit. It is important to understand if your loved one qualifies for Skilled Nursing services, as well as the Medicaid eligibility requirements.
- Contact our Care Team: Our family support team will ask you preliminary questions to see if you would be a good fit for the Family Home Health Aide program over the phone.
- Document Collection: We will request various documents to evaluate your eligibility for the program.
- Complete FHHA Training: The training includes respiratory, feeding, and medication skills as well as CPR, first aid, and handling emergency situations. This is done virtually, in the office, and at home.
Conclusion
The Family Home Health Aide program provides a valuable opportunity for family members to receive compensation for the essential care they already provide to their loved ones. This new Medicaid program offers both financial support and peace of mind to families in need. However, becoming a Family Home Health Aide requires commitment, training, and meeting specific eligibility requirements – Abby Care is here to support you every step of the way. If you are interested in applying, reach out to our team today to begin the process and make a meaningful difference in your loved one’s life.
