Delaware County has announced that the Certified Home Health Agency (CHHA) and Long Term Home Health Care Program (LTHHCP) operated by Delaware County Public Health Nursing Service is being sold to HCR (L. Woerner, Inc. d/b/a). The county has entered into a management and staffing agreement with HCR to provide staffing and oversight to the program until the sale is complete. The County plans to close the County owned CHHA in mid May 2012.
There are two certified home health agencies authorized to provide home care services in Delaware County: HCR and At Home Care, Inc. Patients currently receiving services from Delaware County Public Health Nursing Services have been notified of the option to select one of the two agencies if they require home care after the closure date. Public Health staff will assist CHHA patients in transferring to the agency of their choice. HCR will operate a Long Term Home Health Care Program (LTHHCP) and patients will have the option of selecting this program or being referred to the Office of Long Term Care for other home care services.
Public Health is committed to helping their patients with this transition process and assuring that the services they require to remain in their home will continue without interruption.
Delaware County Public Health Nursing Service has provided home visits since 1930 when the County Board of Supervisors passed a resolution to hire the county’s first public health nurse. The agency became a certified home health agency in 1986.
“It has been a privilege and a pleasure to provide home health services to the residents of Delaware County”, said Director Bonnie Hamilton.
The sale of the Certified Home Health Agency will not mean an end to Public Health services for Delaware County residents. Delaware County Public Health continues to offer other services mandated by the NYSDOH including Early Intervention, Preschool Special Education Program, Maternal Child Health Program, Lead Poisoning Prevention Program, Health Education Program, Communicable Disease Program, Rabies Control, Emergency Preparedness, and the Immunization Program.
For any questions regarding the closure of the Certified Home Health Agency and Long Term Home Health Care Program can call Bonnie Hamilton, Director of Delaware County Public Health at 607-832-5200.
