Rhode Island senior home care agencies and services directory

Home Care in Rhode Island

Home care in Rhode Island is designed to provide seniors with the right amount of care based on their needs. The goal is to allow individuals to stay in the comfort of their own home, keeping them as independent as possible. Rhode Island is a relatively small state, but there are still around 90 home care agencies to consider for care.

Home Care in Rhode Island - Cost Comparison

Finding home care in Rhode Island will vary from each city to the next depending on what services you need from a caregiver, including the degree of medical attention required. Home care services can provide you or your loved one assistance with the activities of daily life, or more involved medical care depending on the licensing of the medical professional or non-medical paraprofessional of your choice. Since these roles and license types can overlap in their duties, it’s important to have a clear understanding of one’s individual needs in order to make the best decision.

There are a number of cities throughout RI that have senior home care agencies but because the state is so small, there is only one area where most of the agencies are located. Because of this, the median monthly cost ranges around:

City	Homemaker Services Monthly Costs	Home Health Aide Monthly Costs
Providence	$4,338	$4,814

Recreation & Attractions in Rhode Island

Rhode Island has a lot to offer residents and visitors such as the Rodger Williams Park, the Newport Cliff Walk, and the Providence Performing Arts Center. Other favorites include the Green Animals Topiary Garden, the Museum of Natural History and Planetarium, or the Botanical Center.

As a less mobile senior, there are a large number of places to go and things to see in Rhode Island. Senior centers can be found throughout the state providing senior-oriented activities such as dancing, book clubs, exercise classes, and game nights. Specialized senior trips are also available to places such as Ocean Drive, the Providence Performing Arts Center, or McCoy Stadium.

Rhode Island's Climate, Geography & Culture

The climate in RI is milder when compared to the rest of the New England states. Because of its small size, there are not many differences found throughout the state. The average temperature during the summer is 81 degrees and the average low in the winter is 20 degrees. The state gets more precipitation than the United States' national average. With over 116 days of annual precipitation, Rhode Island gets 47 inches of rain and 34 inches of snow. With 202 days of sunshine and moderate humidity, the climate is relatively comfortable.

Historically, Rhode Island was inhabited by Native Wampanoag, Narragansett, and Ninantic tribes until the arrival of the French in 1618. This state has a long history of rebellion and progressive thinking, starting with Dorr's Rebellion in 1841. Today, Rhode Island has a largely Catholic and Democratic population and is home to many creative types like artists and musicians.

Crime & Safety in Rhode Island

Searching for home care in Rhode Island is made easier when you know which areas have the lowest crime rates. Not only do safe environments help seniors receive better care, but it helps provide friends and family with the peace of mind that their loved one is in a good environment. Here are some of the safest cities found throughout Rhode Island:

Location	Violent Crimes Per 1,000 Residents	Property Crimes Per 1,000 Residents
Glocester	0.61	4.31
Scituate	0.38	8.43
South Kingston	0.85	8.94

(source: safewise.com)

Rhode Island's Home Care Regulation & Laws

Home health agencies that are Medicare-certified are required to employ health aides who have undergone the approved training and evaluative measures according to federal legislation (42 CFR 484.36).

Medicare-certified home health aides in Rhode Island are required to have a federal minimum of 75 hours of training, including 16 hours of supervised practical or clinical training and 12 hours of additional education every 12 months following their licensing.

Payment Options for Rhode Island Home Care

Seniors paying for home care in Rhode Island can do so in a variety of different ways, each with its own advantages based on your unique financial and health situation.

First off, seniors may look to Medicare to receive coverage for their copayment and deductibles for medical home care through the Medicare Supplemental Insurances program. However, keep in mind that Medicare does not cover non-medical home care whatsoever. If this is an issue, it may be necessary to look to the other remaining methods of payment.

U.S. veterans can receive assistance for home care by using the Improved Pension or Homebound and Aid & Attendance Pension. To apply for these benefits, contact your local Veteran’s Association or Area Agency on Aging for more details and eligibility requirements.

Besides using one’s own savings to pay for care, others may choose to pay through a reverse mortgage, by opening a home equity line of credit or by converting their life insurance policies.

Finally, another option for low-income seniors and their families is to receive Medicaid insurance. Keep in mind that the rules, eligibility requirements, and benefits of Medicaid are state-specific and are different in every state. Home care is referred to as Home and Community Based Services in terms of Medicaid coverage.

Senior & Elderly Rights for Home Care in Rhode Island

Seniors receiving home care from a Medicare-approved home health agency retain a series of guaranteed rights and protections with the intention of keeping your needs met. Before your care begins, the home health care agency must provide you with the details of your rights and care. You'll be informed that you reserve the right to make your own decisions regarding the services being provided. Your personal privacy should always be respected as well, although certain care may require a certain level of transparency to be effective.

There is always the possibility that you may lack the ability to make informed decisions about your care. In this case, you will be able to appoint a family member or legal guardian to advocate on your behalf. Also remember that you retain your Constitutional Rights and those afforded to you by the Bill of Rights, so don't hesitate to contact a lawyer if you believe a violation has been made.

RI Home Care: Medical Records Rules & Regulations

Seniors receiving home care in Rhode Island have the right to obtain copies of their medical records by submitting a request to their healthcare providers. Although some may argue that due to privacy laws your records cannot be released to you, this is simply not the case. You can submit a request and receive your records in 30 days with the exception of cases where providing this information has the potential to do harm.