FAQ’s

Important factors in choosing a Home Care Agency include: the length of time the agency has been in business, professional integrity, proper hiring practices, liability insurance and easy access to staff. Those who supervise caregivers and counsel families should have a degree and be certified in the field of Geriatric Care Management. The Agency should have professional oversight of their staff at every level of service. At Eldercare Services we have skilled professionals available 24/7 to problem solve. When a crisis occurs “after-hours” you can rest assured you are always able to get help when you need it.

Geriatric 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.

  It’s never too early to start planning for the care of an aging or disabled family member. It’s important to consider whether you or any of your siblings have the time, or skills to manage the challenges of care by yourself. Some indications that it may be time to get support are if the problems that you or your loved ones are facing are becoming larger and more complex than you can comfortably manage; your other demands and responsibilities are interfering with your ability to provide the desired level of supervision and attention to your family member’s problems; or if you are experiencing difficulty within the family on what the best plan of action may be.

One of our professionals will provide a thorough assessment of your family member’s needs whether it be their medical and psychological condition, physical environment, mobility and life skills, need for more life enrichment, safety at home or financial situation to help you determine what support or services would be most beneficial. He or she will work with you on an ongoing basis to re-evaluate needs and make any necessary adjustments to the care plan.

Some elders resist geriatric care for fear of losing control over their lives. They cherish the independence they have enjoyed and see the idea of geriatric care services as an intrusion rather than a help. Our Professional Geriatric Care Managers can meet with you and your elder family member to discuss how care services can make things easier, safer and less stressful for the elder, rather than being viewed as a loss of their personal freedom.

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 geriatric 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 Geriatric Care Manager 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 geriatric care now, but might in the future. Again, the Geriatric Care Manager 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 geriatric 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.

Many Home Care agencies offer caregiving only.  One question to ask is:  As changes occur, as they will, is the agency able to provide a higher level of professional oversight and knowledge to quickly respond?  Some other key factors to consider include 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. Look for agencies whose Care Managers and Caregivers are professionally trained and who have been with the company long-term. Those who give counsel to families should be degreed and certified in the field of Professional Care Management. It is also important to make sure the agency has a skilled professional available 24/7 to problem solve a crisis, and to look at what the company does for the community.

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

We maintain the highest standards for excellence, professionalism and quality in every aspect of care we provide. We are among only a few Home Geriatric Care agencies in Northern California to be accredited by the Joint Commission and to have earned its Gold Seal of Approval.  In addition, our Professional Care Managers are bound by the Code of Ethics and Standards of practice set by the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers.

We place high value on community partnerships and education, and continually give back to our community through classes, support groups and workshops to empower our neighbors with information and tools for the aging and their families.