Getting help at home can be life-changing for both you and your loved one.
In New York City, home health aides provide vital support for seniors, people with disabilities, and anyone managing health challenges at home.
Whether you’re navigating Medicaid or exploring private options, knowing the right steps to take can give your family peace of mind.
This guide explains how to qualify for and arrange home health aide services in NYC. You’ll also learn how these services fit into the larger picture of health care and long-term care options available across New York State.
Key Takeaways
- A home health aide helps with daily care so you or your loved one can stay home safely.
- Medicaid and Medicare cover home care differently based on your income, age, disability, and medical care needs.
- A nurse visits your home to assess your condition and create a care plan for the right support.
- Friends & Family Home Care helps New Yorkers apply, enroll, and match with a caregiver in their community.
Understand What a Home Health Aide Does
Home health aides (HHAs) help people with activities of daily living, such as getting dressed, taking a shower, and preparing meals. These services allow many New Yorkers to continue living in their own home safely. They are also trained to provide certain health care services under the guidance of a registered nurse.
In NYC, home health care often includes personal care aides (PCAs) and home attendants. Each role supports different levels of need, from part-time help with errands to full-time in-home care for people with serious health conditions or developmental disabilities.
Check If You Qualify for Medicaid or Medicare
Medicaid is the most common way New Yorkers access free or low-cost home care services. Your eligibility is based on income, medical need, and residency.
If you’re over 65 or living with a disability, you may qualify even if your income is slightly above the usual limits.
Medicare, on the other hand, may cover short-term home health aide services following a hospital stay or while recovering from an illness. But it generally won’t cover long-term care or personal care.
If you need ongoing support, Medicaid is the better route.
Schedule a Nurse Assessment for a Care Plan
Before any home care services can begin, you must first receive approval from the state. Once approved, your Managed Long-Term Care (MLTC) plan will send a nurse to your home to perform an in-depth assessment. During this visit, the nurse will evaluate your care needs, develop a personalized plan of care, and determine how many hours of support you may qualify for. After that, Friends & Family Home Care will work with your health plan to coordinate and begin services.
The care plan is central to getting the right kind of help. It will also determine whether you receive support from a PCA, HHA, or another type of care provider.
Enroll in a Managed Long-Term Care (MLTC) Plan
After your eligibility and care needs are confirmed, you must enroll in an MLTC plan if you want ongoing support. These plans are run by insurance companies approved by the Department of Health. They coordinate all your long-term care services, including home health aides and personal care aides.
Your MLTC plan will partner with a Licensed Home Care Services Agency (LHCSA), such as Friends & Family Home Care, to deliver your care.
Choose a Licensed Home Care Services Agency
In NYC and surrounding areas like Nassau and Westchester counties, there are many LHCSAs to choose from. These agencies handle the staffing and scheduling of your home health aide and ensure your aide has completed a proper training program.
Working with a trusted agency ensures that your aide is certified, experienced, and meets all state requirements for home health aide training.
At Friends & Family Home Care, our aides are carefully matched based on language, culture, and your specific care needs.
Start Your Care and Stay Connected with Your Team
Once your MLTC and LHCSA arrangements are complete, you’ll be introduced to your home health aide. The agency will guide you through what to expect and how to work together on the care plan. Your aide may assist with personal care, meal preparation, errands, and medication reminders.
Some families use aides to help avoid placing a loved one in a nursing home, allowing them to remain safely in their own home.
In many cases, aides are also available on a part-time basis, depending on your needs and coverage. If you ever need to change your care provider or increase your hours, your agency and MLTC plan can help adjust your services.
Home health care isn’t static. Over time, your condition or the condition of your loved one may change.
That’s why it’s important to stay in regular contact with your care team—including your registered nurse, case manager, and agency staff.
Routine check-ins ensure that your services continue to match your needs, whether you’re recovering from an illness, managing a chronic condition, or entering hospice care.
Get a Home Health Aide in NYC with Friends & Family Home Care
If you’re in Brooklyn, the Bronx, Manhattan, Queens, Staten Island, or Westchester, Friends & Family Home Care can help you get the care you need.
As an LHCSA serving New York City, we work with top MLTC plans to provide compassionate, consistent in-home care.
We make the process easier by helping you:
- Apply for Medicaid and verify your eligibility
- Enroll in a Managed Long-Term Care plan
- Understand the difference between an HHA, PCA, or home attendant
- Match with a home health aide who fits your family’s needs
Our goal is to support your health and independence while giving your loved ones peace of mind. Whether you need part-time help or full-time care, we’re here for you.
Let’s help you find the care your family deserves. Start here.
