(a) Policy.  The homemaker service provides assistance to persons 60 years of age or older with:

• (1) preparing a meal;
• (2) shopping for personal items;
• (3) managing money;
• (4) using the telephone; or
• (5) doing light housework, which is limited to:
  • (A) dusting;
  • (B) vacuuming;
  • (C) mopping floors;
  • (D) cleaning bathroom and kitchen;
  • (E) making beds; and
  • (F) maintaining safe environment.

(b) Authority.  The authority for this Section is the Federal Register Office of Management and Budget Notice of Action 0985-0008 and Section 1321.11 of Title 45 of the Code of Federal Regulations.

(c) Procedures.  The requirements for implementing the homemaker service standards are outlined in this subsection.

• (1) The Area Agency on Aging (AAA):
  • (A) incorporates the homemaker service standards into the Title III policies and procedures manual;
  • (B) provides technical assistance to homemaker service providers regarding the standards; and
  • (C) utilizes the standards as an indicator in the evaluation of service provider proposals and in the assessment of funded projects.
• (2) The service provider:
  • (A) verifies, by completing Forms 02AG002E and 02AG003E, Older Americans Act Assessment, Parts I and II, participants who receive homemaker services have:
    • (i) functional, physical, or mental impairments, or limitations preventing them from providing the service for themselves; and
    • (ii) an unavailable or insufficient informal support network, for example, family, friends, or neighbors, capable of meeting their needs;
  • (B) initiates a written service plan for each participant based on the results of Form 02AG002E;
  • (C) ensures all staff persons receive in-service training at least twice each fiscal year specifically designed to increase their knowledge and understanding of the program and participants and to improve their skills at tasks performed in the provision of service.  Comprehensive records identifying dates of training and topics covered are maintained in each employee's personnel file.  An individualized in-service training plan is developed for each staff person, when performance evaluations indicate a need;
  • (D) conducts home visits to each participant at least twice each fiscal year to evaluate service provision; and
  • (E) checks references on all homemakers.

(d) Cross references.  See OAC 340:105-10-50.1(a)(2), and 340:105-10-51.