The In-Home Services Program provides help with housekeeping for Washington and Nowata County residents who are 60 years of age or older. Priority is given to those who are homebound, disabled, or socially isolated.

This program is funded through Grand Gateway Area Agency on Aging, which administers grants from the federal government under Title III of the Older Americans Act of 1965, and the State of Oklahoma. Client and community contributions, Elder Care, and local churches and civic organizations also support the project.

If you or someone you know could benefit from this service, please call the Elder Care at 918-336-8500 in Washington County or 918-273-0993 in Nowata County. Trained Intake personnel will obtain the necessary information to screen potential clients for eligibility. An assessment and evaluation will be performed in the home of possible clients. If the evaluation indicates the necessity for assistance, an In-Home worker will be assigned.

The housekeeping service provides up to a maximum of two (2) hours each week to the client. Each case is determined based upon individual needs. In some instances, clients may only need services while recovering from an illness.

While most clients receive the same type of service, individual needs are assessed and therefore unique care plans are issued for each client. The following is a list of light housekeeping tasks provided by In-Home Services:

• Sanitize kitchens and bathrooms
• Sweep, vacuum, and mop floors
• Dust furniture
• Change bed linens (non-bedfast clients)
• Wash dishes, laundry
• Perform essential shopping and errands
• Prepare meals (if necessary)
• Perform related work as required or assigned

Along with light housekeeping duties, there are instances when heavier work is required. Chore Services are provided on an approval only basis. Some of these chores include:

• Scrub floors and walls
• Clean ovens
• Defrost freezers
• Wash windows

As with all of Elder Care’s programs, In-Home Services’ goal is to assist the elderly with the care and maintenance of their houses, allowing them to remain at home as long as possible.