Visiting Nurse Association Addresses Growing Home Care Demand and Affordability Concerns
TL;DR
VNANNJ helps clients secure free or reduced-cost home care services through Medicare, Medicaid, and grant programs, providing financial advantages over private pay options.
VNANNJ screens eligibility, coordinates with physicians and insurers, and guides applications for various funding sources to expedite home care service enrollment.
VNANNJ's services enable seniors to age at home safely while supporting family caregivers through respite care, counseling, and training programs.
Research shows home care is as effective as hospital care while being cost-saving, with 75% of people over 50 preferring to age in place.
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Consumers seeking home care services face significant concerns about affordability and require assistance understanding available benefits through Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance plans, and grant-subsidized programs, according to inquiries received by the Visiting Nurse Association of Northern NJ. The organization fields questions through its contact portal and telephone helpline, addressing growing public need for clarity on home care financing options.
Faith Scott, MPH, MBA, President and Chief Executive Officer of Visiting Nurse Association of Northern NJ, explained the organization's role in providing guidance. "Our organization serves as a safety net for those who aren't sure where to turn. We're able to reassure many by confirming their eligibility for home care and addressing other concerns," Scott said. The association can expedite enrollment by coordinating with physicians or insurance providers and guiding applicants through processes for grant-funded services.
As the sole designated administrator for the NJ Statewide Respite Care Program in Morris, Sussex, Somerset, and Passaic Counties, VNANNJ holds unique authority to screen seniors and family caregivers for eligibility. The organization participates in multiple government and private grant programs, arranging free or reduced-cost assistance with essential non-medical tasks, caregiver respite, counseling, and training for qualified individuals.
Demand for home care services continues to escalate due to population trends, lifestyle preferences, and healthcare industry shifts. More seniors are choosing to age in place, while home care is increasingly prescribed for patients across age groups to shorten inpatient hospital stays. A December 2024 AARP survey found that 75% of people over 50 prefer to remain in their current homes as they age, reinforcing this trend. Additional studies indicate that over 70% of all seniors will require assistance with routine daily living activities between age 65 and the end of life.
Research has also focused on home care costs and outcomes, with a February 2024 analysis of 14 studies published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health comparing home health care and hospital care. The analysis concluded that "evidence suggests home care interventions are likely to be cost saving and as effective as hospital care," providing validation for home-based care models.
The Visiting Nurse Association of Northern NJ, accessible at vnannj.org, serves as a regional provider of comprehensive home-based care including skilled nursing visits, physical, occupational, and speech therapy, certified aides, elder care, family caregiver assistance, and hospice services. The nonprofit organization currently serves residents across more than 140 municipalities in Morris, Hunterdon, Sussex, Warren, Somerset, and Passaic Counties, maintaining a tradition of community care that began in Morristown in 1898.
Curated from 24-7 Press Release
