Are all caregivers employees of the company?

This helps to ensure not only the quality of staff but it also protects the client. In that way the employer rather than the client is required to cover all liability insurance, unemployment, tax, and worker's compensation insurances as well as social security tax.

All of Affordable HomeCare Associates are employees.

What is the cost of the home assessment?

Assessments are needed to insure a good match. Many companies will not even send out a person to evaluate the client's actual needs. Good companies will send a clinical professional to discuss service opportunities and develop an individualized plan of care. Some companies charge for this. There should be no charge for the assessment.

Affordable HomeCare never charges for an initial assessment or our periodic Quality Assurance Visit or Reassessments.

How quickly can the company fill a case and how good is its follow up?

Larger established companies have a better chance to fill in should a primary caregiver become ill or have an emergency.

While Affordable HomeCare is still a personalized family owned business, it is one of the oldest and largest non-medical home care companies in the area. We can respond very quickly.

In the event that field staff is not available, is the office staff cross-trained to work with clients?

The office staff should meet the same screening criteria and have worked in the field before working in the office.

Affordable HomeCare has several cross-trained staff working in the office to provide back up coverage should the need arise.

How are caregivers trained?

Caregivers must be knowledgeable and be able to work independently.

All Personal Assistants of Affordable HomeCare must have had at least three years of experience in a nursing home, hospital, group home or with a private duty client. Most have much more.

Skills are evaluated at hire and regular internal training is provided and scholarships are offered to enhance them as needed. Annual continuing education credits are required.

Does the company supervise their staff by coming to the home?

Quality minded companies want to know what their staff is doing in the home and will make personal visits.

Affordable HomeCare will make regular free visits with at least some being unannounced and while staff is in the home. Clients will be communicated with in private to allow for an honest conversation regarding our services.

Does a Registered Nurse supervise care providers?

Having professional oversight and support is always important to quality care.

While not a requirement for a non-medical company, Affordable HomeCare has a Registered Nurse Clinical Director that oversees other nurses and social workers who supervise the Personal Assistants in the field.

Does the company respect employees through recognition programs, health care benefits, 401K retirement, bonus programs for providing dependability, incentives for quality of work, paid days off, and continuing education programs?

Companies who invest in their staff are rewarded with better-educated, happy employees who stay long term. Lower turnover equates to better quality.

Affordable HomeCare offers all the above benefits and several others.

Is the company accredited by a professional organization?

Accreditation is a grueling and expensive process. It suggests that a company is interested in providing the highest quality of care possible.

Affordable HomeCare continually raises the "Quality Bar" for itself and the industry. We expect to complete our accreditations by mid 2008.

We actively participate in numerous professional associations that promote positive change for the industry.

Do they have referrals available for existing and past clients?

Reliable companies are happy to offer you written referrals and will be members of the Better Business Bureau.

Affordable HomeCare has been a member of the Better Business Bureau since 1994 and have dozens of written positive experiences that we are glad to share.

Does the company have ways to measure their quality?

Excellent companies monitor quality as a way to improve their service.

Affordable HomeCare has a 14-point Quality Assurance Program. Our outcome based measurements help us improve the care to our Clients.

Does the company have a written job description?

A written understanding of expectations avoids misunderstandings.

Affordable HomeCare puts their expectations of their staff in writing. Staff must sign their copy confirming their understanding.

Does the company have a written Client Bill of Rights?

You should know what behavior to expect from workers and to know your personal information will be protected.

Affordable HomeCare puts their standards in writing and guarantees your satisfaction! Should you not be satisfied with the behavior or performance of our staff, the owner is available to resolve your concerns.

Does the company have a free safety inspection?

Good companies want to see that their clients remain safe in their home. Look for companies who can offer you community resource information and automated Personal Safety Response Systems.

Affordable HomeCare can answer almost any health related resource question you may have. Through our affiliated Care Connection, we supply a full range of simple technology that promotes safety and independence.

Does the company track the care being provided?

You should know what the caregiver does each day.

Affordable HomeCare provides daily written records of exactly what has been done in the home.

Does the company have recommendations on how to prevent theft?

If a company tells you theft has never been a problem, they are not being honest with you or have not been in business long enough.

In the unfortunate situation where money or valuables come up missing, the company should have a bond to help you recover a loss. The best bond would not require a conviction for you to recover.

Is someone available to resolve issues or answer questions at all times of the day or night?

Someone should be available at all times to handle any concerns you may have. An employee, not an answering service, should answer your calls.

With Affordable HomeCare, you will be able to speak to a live management employee within 20 minutes of your call.

Does the company ask a lot of questions or just willing to give you a price?

The good home care company contact person should ask you many questions. Asking probing questions means they are thorough, and chances are the match will be better. Our intake staff is well trained to explain our services in detail and answer all of your questions.

Should you consider electronic monitoring systems to provide peace of mind when family or caregivers are not present?

Depending upon the person's physical and mental condition the family may feel better if the can be immediately notified if a problem occurs.

An Affordable HomeCare affiliate Care Connected, can supply you with Personal Emergency Response Systems, automated medication compliance devices and other products to help maintain independence in the home.

ACTIONS YOU SHOULD BE PREPARED TO TAKE

Know who will be in charge of signing any legal documents.

If someone has power of attorney or a living will, original copies must be made available.

It is important to be up-front and honest about the physical and mental limitations of your family member.

The home care business is about relationships and the company you select should be able to handle most situations. However, you can guarantee a better match if you alert the company to any potential difficulties in advance.

Ask questions so you will understand the service and be able to thoroughly explain it to other involved family members.

QUESTIONS YOU SHOULD BE PREPARED TO ANSWER

If you are requesting live-in services, is there a place for the caregiver to sleep and keep his/her personal belongings?

How much service will you need?

Know the number of days per week and hours per day. Most home care companies will have a minimum number of hours required per day but you should be able to choose when these hours will be.

Affordable HomeCare has no minimums and can provide up to around the clock live-in care.

Where will the care take place?

Know the complete address, zip code, phone number, and directions.

Who will pay for the service?

If an insurance company pays, you will need the name of the insurance company and the client's policy number; if a family member is paying privately, they should be prepared to pay on a weekly basis. You will also need the complete address and phone number of the person who is paying for the service.

Who is the primary contact person?

When is the best time they can be reached? What contacts should be made in an emergency situation?

Are there other family members living in the household?

Are there pets in the house and do they also need care?

Who are the other professionals involved with this client?

Include the name of this person's doctor, the skilled care agency, physical therapist, etc.

Be prepared to give vital statistics for the person for whom care is being provided.

You will need weight, height, and date of birth.

What is the physical and mental status of the client?

Are they incontinent? Are they on medications? Are they alert? Are they ambulatory? Do they require transferring (a mechanical device may be needed.)?

What duties would you like the caregiver to perform?

Personal care (bathing, dressing, mouth care, assistance with ambulation or lifting), cooking, light housekeeping, laundry, assistance with self-administered medication, transportation, and shopping or other errands are all services which the caregiver can provide.