About Us
Public health nurses remain constantly visible in the community by providing screening services at health fairs, serving on speaker’s bureaus and various community advisory boards, coalitions, and committees. To the public health nurse the ENTIRE COMMUNITY IS HER PATIENT.
These programs:
- Assist with coordination of health care for health department patients with certain medical conditions
- Provide education and case management aimed at improving quality of care and life
- Promote self care for individuals by preventing or minimizing the effects of a chronic disease
- Pre-screen individuals seeking Medicaid long term and nursing facility care and certain Medicaid waivers
Chronic Disease Health Education
We partner with multiple agencies across the Peninsula, including Peninsula Agency on Aging, Riverside's Center for Excellence in Aging, and the YMCA to provide outreach and education to those with chronic diseases. Peninsula Agency on Aging provides a Fall Prevention Class. For questions about this program, contact our Chronic Disease Health Educator, Megan DeWitt, at 757-594-7814.
Medicaid Pre-Admission Screening
Virginia’s Department of Medical Assistance Services requires an evaluation of medical, nursing, developmental, psychological and social needs of individuals believed to be in need of or at risk of nursing facility admission if the individual is seeking Medicaid funding. A public health nurse from the local health department and a social worker from the local department of social services visit the patient at home to assess if the person is in need of nursing facility care. This information is used to determine whether an individual meets criteria for Medicaid funded nursing facility services or community based care. A Medicaid application must be filed with the local department of social services where the person resides in Virginia and the individual must be deemed Medicaid eligible to receive services.
This program also evaluates individuals seeking Medicaid Waivers for:
- Program for the All inclusive Care of the Elderly (PACE). This program provides all Medicaid covered services, primary medical and specialty care, nursing, social work, personal care, in-home supportive services, restorative therapies (occupational, physical, and speech language pathology), meals and nutritional care, transportation, and recreational therapy.
- Elderly or Disabled with Consumer Direction Waiver (EDCD) for personal care aide services, adult day health care, respite care, and personal emergency response system
- Human Immunodeficiency Virus Waiver for services providing personal care, case management, respite care, nutrition, private duty nursing, etc.
- Technology Assisted Waiver for services providing personal care, private duty nursing, respite care, environmental modification and assistive technology
Department of Medical Assistance Services – Long Term Care
Virginia Department for the Aging No Wrong Door
Call the Peninsula Health Department: (757) 594-7426 for more information.
Call the Hampton Health Department: (757) 727-1172, ext. 53780 or the Hampton Department of Social Services at (757) 728-2120 for more information.