Home Services are designed to empower individuals with severe disabilities to live independently and comfortably in their own homes. The Home Services Program (HSP) is dedicated to providing comprehensive support, ensuring individuals can maintain their autonomy and quality of life within their familiar home environment.
Exploring the Range of Home Services Offered
Our program is proud to offer a diverse array of services tailored to meet the unique needs of each individual. These home services are designed to foster independence and provide essential support:
- Personal Assistants (PAs): Customers have the autonomy to select, employ, and supervise their own PAs. These assistants provide invaluable support with daily household tasks, personal care, and, with a physician’s authorization, specific healthcare procedures.
- Homemaker Services: For those who require a higher level of supervision, professionally trained and supervised personnel offer personal care and assistance. Homemaker services also include guidance and support in household management and self-care skills.
- Maintenance Home Health: Delivered under the guidance of a physician or healthcare professional’s treatment plan, these services encompass skilled nursing care, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy, all within the comfort of home.
- Electronic Home Response Systems: Through partnerships with hospitals and community organizations, we offer 24/7 emergency support. This system utilizes a rented signaling device, enabling individuals to quickly alert emergency services like hospitals, fire departments, or police in urgent situations.
- Home-Delivered Meals: Ensuring proper nutrition, this service provides meals to individuals who are capable of self-feeding but face challenges in preparing their own food.
- Adult Day Care: In community-based settings, adult day care offers direct care and supervision, promoting the social, physical, and emotional well-being of participants through engaging activities and a supportive environment.
- Assistive Equipment: To enhance independence and the ability to manage household and personal care tasks, we facilitate access to various devices and equipment, available for purchase or rent, based on individual needs.
- Environmental Modifications: Enhancing safety and independence at home, modifications can be made to the home environment to accommodate limitations in mobility, strength, or sensation, reducing reliance on direct assistance.
- Respite Services: Understanding the importance of caregiver well-being, respite services offer temporary care for both adults and children with disabilities. These services, including personal assistant, homemaker, or home health care, provide families with crucial relief for vacations, rest, errands, or during family emergencies.
Furthermore, we extend specialized home services to individuals living with HIV/AIDS and/or traumatic brain injuries (TBI). Our Community Reintegration Program is also dedicated to assisting individuals with disabilities who currently reside in nursing homes to transition back into community living, equipped with the necessary support for independent living.
Who Can Benefit from These Home Services?
These vital home services are available to individuals with severe disabilities under the age of 60 who require assistance with daily living activities to remain in their homes. Many of our customers are individuals who are at risk of needing to move to a nursing home or another care facility. (For individuals 60 and older, please reach out to the Illinois Department on Aging for relevant resources.)
How Are Home Services Delivered?
To ensure personalized care, customers may hire their own Personal Assistants (PAs), guided by a service plan developed in collaboration with their DRS rehabilitation counselor. For individuals who require additional support in managing their PA, homemaker agencies can provide supervised personnel to oversee in-home assistance.
Applying for Home Services
To begin the application process for home services, please utilize the online Rehabilitation Services Web Referral to submit a referral for yourself or someone you know. Our services are accessible through 47 local offices located across the state. To locate the nearest office, use the DHS Office Locator and search for Rehabilitation Services. For direct assistance, please call our toll-free lines: (800) 843-6154 (Voice, English or Español) or (866) 324-5553 (TTY).
Additional Resources for Home Service Customers
Home Care Ombudsman Program
The Home Care Ombudsman Program is committed to ensuring that all customers of the Home Services Program receive high-quality care. This program advocates for customer interests, assists in identifying resources, clarifies procedures, aids in problem resolution, and safeguards customer rights. For more detailed information, please visit the Illinois Department on Aging’s Long Term Care Ombudsman Program website.
