For many adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities, living at home is exactly what they want. Their own space. Their own routine. Their own life.
But sometimes daily tasks that most people take for granted, like getting dressed in the morning, preparing a meal, or managing personal hygiene, require a little extra help. That is where home personal care comes in.
If you are a family member or case manager trying to understand what home personal care actually involves and whether it is the right fit, this guide walks you through everything you need to know.
In This Guide
What Is Home Personal Care?
Home personal care, commonly referred to as HPC, is a waiver-funded support service that provides hands-on assistance to adults with disabilities in their own home. The goal is straightforward. Help the individual manage the physical tasks of daily life so they can live as independently as possible without having to move into a facility or group setting.
How It Fits Into Ohio’s Waiver System
In Ohio, home personal care is funded through Medicaid Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) waivers administered by the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD). It is one of the most commonly accessed services under the Individual Options (IO) waiver and is designed specifically for adults whose support needs center around daily living tasks rather than medical care.
It is worth being clear on that distinction. Home personal care is not a medical or nursing service. It is a personal support service. The focus is on helping someone live their daily life with dignity and confidence.
What Does Home Personal Care Include?
The scope of home personal care varies from person to person depending on their individual support plan. But in general, HPC covers assistance with what are called Activities of Daily Living, or ADLs.
Personal Hygiene and Grooming
This includes support with bathing, showering, oral hygiene, hair care, shaving, and other personal grooming tasks. For many adults with disabilities, these tasks are manageable with a little assistance and guidance rather than full hands-on help. A good support worker reads what level of involvement is actually needed and adjusts accordingly.
Dressing and Physical Assistance
Getting dressed sounds simple. For some adults with physical or cognitive challenges, it involves real barriers. HPC support workers assist with selecting appropriate clothing, dressing and undressing, and managing any adaptive equipment or clothing modifications the individual uses.
Meal Preparation and Eating
Support with preparing meals, setting up eating areas, and in some cases assistance with eating itself. This does not mean the support worker cooks every meal independently. Where possible, the individual is involved in the process. Encouraging participation in meal prep is part of building independence, not replacing it.
Mobility and Transfers
For adults who use wheelchairs or have limited mobility, HPC workers provide assistance with transfers, repositioning, and safe movement around the home. This is done in a way that protects both the individual and the support worker and follows any specific mobility protocols in the person’s care plan.
Medication Reminders
HPC workers can provide reminders for scheduled medications. This is distinct from medication administration, which is a clinical function. The support worker ensures the person is aware it is time to take their medication and that it is accessible.
Light Household Tasks
Keeping a living space clean and functional is part of daily life. HPC can include light housekeeping tasks that are directly tied to the individual’s health and safety, such as tidying the bedroom, laundry, and maintaining a clean kitchen environment.
Who Is Home Personal Care For?
Home personal care is designed for adults aged 18 and older who have a documented developmental or intellectual disability and are enrolled in an Ohio Medicaid waiver program.
Common Conditions HPC Supports
Adults receiving home personal care in Ohio often have one or more of the following:
- Intellectual disabilities
- Autism spectrum disorder
- Down syndrome
- Cerebral palsy
- Traumatic brain injuries affecting daily functioning
- Other developmental conditions that originated before age 22
The level of support needed varies widely across this group. Some individuals need a support worker present for just a few hours each morning. Others require more consistent daily assistance. The individual service plan, developed with input from the person, their family, and their Service and Support Administrator (SSA), determines the hours and scope of support.
HPC Is About Ability, Not Limitation
One thing we want to be clear about at Steps 2 Better Living is that home personal care is not about doing things for people. It is about doing things with them, at the level of support they actually need, in a way that builds confidence over time.
The best HPC relationships are built on trust, consistency, and a genuine understanding of who the person is beyond their support needs.
How Is Home Personal Care Different from Other Support Services?
Families sometimes confuse home personal care with other disability support services. Here is a quick breakdown.
HPC vs. Shared Living
Shared living involves an adult with a disability living with a trained host or housemate in a community home setting with built-in support. Home personal care is delivered in the individual’s own home and does not involve a residential arrangement.
HPC vs. Remote Supports
Remote supports use technology to provide real-time check-ins and assistance without a worker being physically present. HPC involves a support worker who is physically in the home to provide hands-on assistance. The two can complement each other depending on the individual’s needs.
HPC vs. Residential Respite
Residential respite is a short-term care option that gives family caregivers a break, with the individual staying temporarily in a supported setting. HPC is an ongoing in-home service, not a temporary arrangement.
You can explore all of these options on our services page.
How to Access Home Personal Care in Cincinnati
If your family member is already enrolled in Ohio’s waiver system through Hamilton County Developmental Disabilities Services (HCDDS), speak with their Service and Support Administrator about adding home personal care to their service plan.
If you are just starting the process, the first step is connecting with HCDDS for an intake and eligibility assessment. Once enrolled and approved for HPC hours, you choose a provider.
At Steps 2 Better Living, we provide home personal care services for adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities across Cincinnati and Hamilton County. We take time to match individuals with support workers who are the right fit, not just the first available. You can learn more about our approach before making any decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many hours of home personal care can someone receive?
The number of funded hours depends on the individual’s functional assessment and the terms of their waiver plan. Some individuals receive a few hours per week while others have daily support. The SSA and the individual work together to determine what is appropriate.
Can a family member be paid to provide home personal care?
In some cases, yes. Ohio’s self-directed options allow individuals to hire and direct their own support workers, which can include certain family members. There are specific rules around this, so it is worth discussing with the individual’s SSA.
Is home personal care available on weekends?
Yes. HPC is not limited to weekday hours. Support schedules are built around the individual’s actual daily life, which often includes evenings and weekends.
Does home personal care require a doctor’s referral?
No. Home personal care is a social support service, not a medical service. Access is through the Ohio waiver system rather than a medical referral process.
Let’s Talk About Support for Your Family Member
If you think home personal care might be the right fit, we would love to have a conversation. No pressure and no commitment required.
Submit a referral here or call us directly at 513-873-4788. We will listen first and help you figure out the best next step.
