I. What You Should Know About Home Care in Hyde Park, NY

Hyde Park is a town that appeals to many interests, offering outdoor recreation, historic sites and more. Nearly one in five of the town’s 20,847 residents is a senior 65 years of age or older.

The seasonal Hyde Park Farmers Market gives residents an opportunity to stock up on fresh goods and enjoy music. Hyde Park’s trails offer a chance to exercise and take in the area’s beautiful scenery, and many parks are available as well. Also in Hyde Park is the Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site, which is far from alone among Hyde Park’s important sites. A bustling arts scene adds to Hyde Park’s diversity of offerings.

Additionally, Hyde Park is conveniently located in Dutchess County, so living here places you near many of the Hudson Valley area’s notable attractions. Dutchess County is known for its natural beauty, which it combines with arts-related attractions, wineries and unique institutions such as the Culinary Institute of America, where you can enjoy top-end dishes.

II. What You Should Expect to Pay for Home Care in Hyde Park, NY

The Genworth 2020 Cost of Care Survey reports that in Hyde Park, home care and home health care have identical average monthly rates of $4,385. (In some locations, home health care costs more because of its providers’ ability to handle basic medical tasks.)

The cost of $4,385 assumes that the provider gives 44 hours of care per week. Each hour of home care or home health care in Hyde Park costs an average of $23.00. Seniors who require more than 44 hours of care per week can expect to pay more than the $4,385 monthly average, while those who need fewer than 44 hours of care may pay less.

The Cost of Home Care & Home Health Care in Nearby Cities

Hyde Park’s average home care and home health care prices stack up well against those of nearby cities. Poughkeepsie’s rates are nearly $600 higher than Hyde Park’s, and Binghamton is likewise several hundred dollars more expensive. Albany is even pricier, with rates around $800 more costly than those of Hyde Park. Hyde Park is more affordable on average than New York and the nation as well.

The Cost of Home Care Compared to Other Senior Living Options

In Hyde Park, home care and home health care are moderately priced options. Nursing homes are costlier, charging an average of $14,797 per month for semiprivate rooms. Data on adult day health care in Hyde Park is unavailable, but the New York state average for that service is $1,945, making it the most affordable option. Assisted living data is likewise unavailable for Hyde Park, but the statewide average is $4,800, which is higher than Hyde Park’s home care and home health care rates.

III. How to Find Home Care in Hyde Park, NY

Finding a home care provider for yourself or a loved one can be a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. Below, we explain the process of how to find a home care provider in 5 simple steps. Use the infographic below to help guide your search for in-home care in Hyde Park, NY.

An infographic giving steps to finding a home care provider

Remember that there’s not necessarily a right or wrong choice – it comes down to choosing a provider that you feel comfortable with and who’s capable of meeting your specific needs. No matter which provider you choose, you should always have a formal arrangement with your expectations and the payment rate in writing. Doing so will prevent confusion or potential disagreements down the line so that the focus remains on helping the person receiving care.

IV. Home Care Resources for Seniors in Hyde Park, NY

Home Meal Delivery and Grocery Shopping Services

What You Should Know
Monday through Friday, eligible clients can receive hot, home-delivered meals from the Dutchess County Office for the Aging. When appropriate, the office provides frozen and shelf-stable food as well. The delivery people socialize with their clients, helping to reduce isolation. Deliveries can take place over short periods of time or for longer durations.

Who Is Eligible?
Clients must be 60 years of age or older, homebound and incapacitated. They must also lack a way to prepare meals, whether because of inadequate appliances or an inability to shop for or prepare food. A lack of support from other sources, such as friends and neighbors, is a requirement as well. Spouses of certain homebound individuals are eligible, too. Screenings are required for final eligibility determinations.

How to Get Started
To learn more about meal deliveries and eligibility, you can call (845) 486-2555 or email [email protected].

Continuing Care

What You Should Know
The Dutchess County Office for the Aging also runs a program called Continuing Care. The program’s nurses and case managers perform in-home assessments so that they can advise clients on their options as well as potential ways to fund care.

Continuing Care personnel also help clients devise care plans and learn about community-based services that may help. The personnel are knowledgeable regarding home health care and other setups. Additionally, Dutchess County maintains a database of various home health agencies in the area.

Who Is Eligible?
Anyone is eligible for Continuing Care’s services. Age and income are not factors for help.

How to Get Started
For more information, the number to call is (845) 486-2555. You can also send a message to [email protected].

Transportation for Seniors

What You Should Know
Residents of Dutchess County can take advantage of multiple programs that make it easier for older adults and individuals with disabilities to get around. The ADA Complementary Paratransit Service transports individuals for whom buses are inaccessible. The fee is $3.50, and rides can be scheduled for the next day or up to 30 days in advance. Dial-A-Ride offers a reduced fare of $1.00 for seniors 60 years of age and older. Reservations can be made three to 30 days in advance.

Who Is Eligible?
Riders must register in advance for Dial-A-Ride and the ADA Complementary Paratransit Service. All passengers within Dial-A-Ride’s service area are eligible for rides. To be eligible for the ADA Complementary Paratransit Service, riders must live no more than three-quarters of a mile from a Dutchess County Public Transit bus route. They must also be unable to make use of standard bus services. Medical certification is required.

How to Get Started
If you’re interested in these services, you can apply online. To learn more about either program, call the Dutchess County Division of Public Transit at (845) 473-8424.

Rebuilding Together Dutchess County

What You Should Know
Rebuilding Together is an organization with the goal of maintaining good living conditions for low-income homeowners. Its flagship offering is the Rebuilding Day program. Through this program, workers perform extensive home repairs and install accessibility modifications, including ramps and stairlifts. They also handle heating, cooling and electrical work.

Small-scale repairs are also available through Rebuilding Together’s Handyman Repair program. It, too, provides accessibility modifications, such as grab bars, and improves home elements such as lighting. The Home Safety and Fire Prevention program outfits houses with smoke and carbon dioxide alarms and other safety features.

Who Is Eligible?
Recipients of Rebuilding Together’s services must live in and own a home within Dutchess County. The household income limit is 80% of the area’s median income. Meeting these requirements is a good starting point but does not guarantee service. The Rebuilding Day program has additional specific requirements, including a home-value cap of $300,000. Clients must also be up to date on their homeowner’s insurance as well as their mortgage and property and school tax payments.

How to Get Started
Applications are available for these programs on Rebuilding Together’s website. If you want to talk to the organization, Rebuilding Together’s phone number is (845) 454-7310. You can also send general questions to [email protected].

Home Energy Assistance Program

What You Should Know
HEAP makes utility bills and other heating and cooling costs more affordable for low-income recipients. For instance, it can help head off service terminations. It also provides money toward fuel bills and gives weatherization referrals. Certain HEAP services cover furnace repairs and replacements, fan and air conditioner installation and equipment tune-ups.

Who Is Eligible?
HEAP’s eligibility is largely based on income, and guidelines may change from season to season. Emergency aid may be available for seniors facing imminent utility shutoffs or a lack of heat. Certain populations, such as those in congregate care facilities, are not eligible for HEAP.

How to Get Started|
If you’re interested in HEAP, you can apply online or call (845) 486-2555 for more information.