Community Health Connections, often referred to as CHC, is an ACHC accredited and licensed In-Home Aide Agency working in affiliation with St. Luke’s Hospital. Trained Certified Nursing Assistants and Trained In-Home Aides, under a Registered Nurse’s supervision, provide personal care in the home, hospital, or nursing home. While providing thoughtful assistance, encouragement and reassurance for you and your family, the In-Home Aide may perform some or all of the following activities:

• Help with bathing, toileting, dressing, skin and hair care

• Assistance with walking, exercising and toileting

• Meal planning and preparation

• Light housekeeping, laundry, grocery shopping and errands

Our Home Care Services include

• Bath Aide Program—Trained Certified Nursing Assistants and Trained In-Home Aides will provide help with your basic personal care needs for approximately one hour in the privacy of your own home.

• Private Duty Nurse Aides—Trained Certified Nursing Assistants and Trained In-Home Aides will provide help with personal care, light housekeeping and meal preparation. Coverage is available from four to twenty-four hours per day, depending on individual needs. The aide may run errands or simply provide therapeutic companionship in the home, hospital or nursing home. We offer individual and couple rates.

• CAP Services—In conjunction with St. Luke’s Hospital and CAP/DA (Community Alternative Program for Disabled Adults); CHC provides trained In-Home Aides to assist in personal care, light housekeeping and meal preparation. Residents of Polk County, who have North Carolina Medicaid, may qualify for this service at little or no cost.

• Title Programs—Community Health Connections is the recipient of a grant from the Area Agency on Aging. This grant provides light housekeeping for those over 60 years of age who are eligible. This service is limited to residents of Polk County who qualify. This is a cost-share program and donations are greatly appreciated.

• Private Case Management—Case Management is helpful for those whose children and other family members live too far away to assist. A Case Manager or Registered Nurse can help bridge the gap between the elderly and distant family members through consistent contact and communication. The Case Manager can provide peace of mind by assisting with the coordination of medical and home management, financial affairs, social services, and other daily needs as required.

Obtaining Services
Anyone may make a referral for service by simply contacting CHC with brief information about the person in need. We will help determine what service may be needed and assist with eligibility questions and getting started. Before we can begin services, the RN must visit the potential client to complete an assessment of needs and develop a plan of care for the in-home aides to follow. CHC does not discriminate against race, religion, sex, or disability.

Location
CHC is located in the Skyuka Plaza in Lynn. Office hours are 8:30-5:00 Monday through Friday. However, a staff member is on-call 24-hours a day, seven days a week and may be reached by contacting the switchboard operator at St. Luke’s Hospital at (828) 894-3311.

Payment
Payment depends on the service needed and eligibility. Medicare covers none of our services, however CHC does participate in the CAP/DA and PCS programs, both of which are covered by Medicaid. Some Polk County residents may be eligible to receive grant-assisted services. Below is a listing of current programs:

Information
For more information about Community Health Services, please call (828) 894-3308.