Look for the length of time the agency has been in business, professional integrity, proper hiring practices, liability and bonding. It is important to have professional oversight in every level of service provided. Those who supervise caregivers and give counsel to families should be degreed and certified in the field of Geriatric Care Management. It is important to make sure the agency has a skilled professional available 24/7 to problem solve a crisis. Also, look at what the company does for the community.

Care Managers reduce family burdens, facilitate communication and assist with finding cost effective services. A Care Manager gives personalized compassionate advice, advocating for the individual’s wants and needs. They are experts in dealing with the continually changing challenges of aging. They assist with your care plan, medical oversight, family communication and education.

A home care agency should provide all the documentation that Long Term Care Insurance companies require for your carrier to reimburse you for eligible costs. They should call your carrier to clarify your coverage. Some insurance carriers will reimburse for counseling with a licensed professional for issues related to family transitions, loss, anxiety and grief. Medicare does NOT pay for our home care services.

Cherishing independence, many elders resist care for fear of losing control over their lives. Some home care agencies have a Professional Geriatric Care Manager who will work with you and your older family member to find a way to make it work slowly and in a way that is not intrusive.

Families are often concerned about elders who reside in assisted living or skilled nursing settings and want to add to their quality of life. They will enlist for counseling services in finding a “friendly visitor/companion” who can add meaning and pleasure to the elder’s life. This is frequently requested by busy professionals, families that live at a distance or families traveling who need oversight when they are away, as well as those who just want mom or dad to have a higher quality of life.

Does mother need to move to a “nursing home” if the doctor says it is time? What type of home does mom need and how do you search for what is best? Do you call it an “Elderly Home”, Home for Elderly”, “Retirement Community” or “Assisted Living”?

This issue is overwhelming to families. Many providers of health care services including doctors and discharge planners are not aware of all the different levels of care within each category. If they are unaware, how are you as family members going to know if mom really needs a “Skilled Nursing Center” vs. a “Residential Care” setting.

In many states such as California, the Residential Care or Assisted Living facilities (including small Board and Care Homes) can have “hospice” waivers that would allow seniors to be cared for even in the dying process at the residential level of care with a proper waiver.

Within the Assisted Living communities they vary by facility and culture and some are great for mom while others just would not be a good fit.

When families use a “Geriatric Care Manager” (GCM) who can be objective and has no financial remuneration for making referrals, they are more likely to get just the right place for mom to live. The GCM will assist with assessing Mom’s needs now and projecting what she might need in the future. This will narrow down the search to just 2 or 3 places you need to tour before making the decision for the best senior living option for her.

If dad wants to move after mom dies (this is not uncommon) do you know how to make a good match for him? It could be that he has no needs for care now, but might in the future. Again, the GCM will assess and survey Dad’s interests and values and help you to make a good match. This will – ensure that he keeps in his life all which gives it value, in turn giving you peace of mind knowing if Dad does need care in the future, he won’t have to move.

It is all about “enhancing life” and finding the right fit for both needs and interests of the elder that are based on the aging family member’s values.

All of our Caregivers are employees. We (not you) pay the taxes, workers compensation and comply with all federal and state regulations. We provide Paid Time Off (PTO) and offer health insurance and 401K retirement benefits. Our Caregivers are screened, bonded, insured & trained.

Eldercare Services does a comprehensive background clearance including employment references, driving record, driver’s license status, automobile insurance status, documentation of tuberculosis screening, criminal background and documented eligibility to work in the United States.

We custom tailor our services for each client and family’s specific needs and situation. Prices for services vary based on the level of care necessary. Please give us a call and we will compile a complimentary individualized estimate for you.