In-Home Services

Information

Area agencies on aging (AAAs) can provide in-home services for Missourians aged 60 or older. These services are intended to assist in the activities of daily living which help older adults stay safe, healthy, and independent in their homes. In-Home services include:

  • Personal care: Assistance (personal assistance, stand-by assistance, supervision, or cues) with activities of daily living* (ADLs) and/or health-related tasks provided in a person’s home, and possibly, other community settings. Personal care may include assistance with instrumental activities of daily living** (IADLs).
  • Homemaker: Performance of light housekeeping tasks provided in a person’s home, and possibly, other community settings. Tasks may include preparing meals, shopping for personal items, managing money, or using the telephone, in addition to light housework.
  • Chore: Performance of heavy household tasks provided in a person’s home, and possibly, other community settings. Tasks may include yard work or sidewalk maintenance, in addition to heavy housework.
  • Respite: A respite service provided in the home of the caregiver or care receiver and allows the caregiver time away to do other activities. During such respite, other activities can occur which may offer additional support to either the caregiver or care receiver, including homemaker or personal care services.

Individuals age 60 or over may qualify if they have Medicaid, but do not meet the nursing home level of care.

*ADLs, or activities of daily living, are more basic tasks that are essential to independent living. These tasks include eating, bathing or showering, grooming, walking, dressing and undressing, transfers, and assistance with toileting.

**IADLs, or instrumental activities of daily living, are more complex tasks that are still a necessary part of everyday life. These skills are: using the telephone, shopping, preparing meals, housekeeping, using transportation, taking medication, and managing finances.

Contact

Find your local AAA here to inquire about in-home assistance available in your area. You can also call the Missouri Senior Resource Line toll-free at 1-800-235-5503 to be connected with local assistance.

Resources

Additional resources can be found at the following links:

This project was supported, in part by grant number 2201MOOASS, from the U.S. Administration for Community Living, Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, D.C. 20201.