Do you require a minimum number of hours of service?
We ask for 6 hours minimum per day for hourly care. Less than 6 hours per day depends on location of client and available caregivers in the area that already have work and might be looking for extra hours with another client.
What is a schedule like?
Each caregiver’s schedule is different. They determine when and how much they want to work. It is also dependent on the demands of the case.
What about food?
It is customary for the family to include the caregiver when shopping for food for the home. If cost or location (Assisted Living) is an issue then a $10 per day meal allowance is added to the per-day rate to make it easier. When a meal allowance is provided to the caregiver it is their responsibility to get their food to the home.
Housekeeping?
A caregiver will keep and maintain a clean environment. But they are not a maid or cleaning service. A caregiver will provide light housekeeping, laundry, and ironing.
Medications?
By law, a caregiver can only provide medication reminders. All medication needs to be in a pre-selected medication reminder container.
Time off?
Time off is up to the caregiver as to when they need a break. Our agency will provide support and fill-in help when the primary caregiver is off. In some cases, family will take care of the parent while the primary caregiver is off.
Same caregivers each time for fill-in?
We understand it is difficult to receive good care if different people show up every week. We ARE concerned with continuity of care.
We cannot guarantee the same caregiver to fill in each time your primary caregiver takes off. This is because each caregiver is looking for their own full-time case.
We try our best to accommodate the request by always staffing a caregiver that has been to the house in the past to care for the patient before staffing a new one.
What does a caregiver need at the house?
For Live-In Care, a bed or sofa sleeper, access to a bathroom. Ideally a private bedroom. WiFi connection important to caregivers, when making a decision to accept a case.
What if caregiver gets sick?
We will provide a fill-in caregiver for the time it takes for our primary caregiver to get well and be ready to return to work. Family has the option to fill in too if they desire.
Can you provide care in a nursing home or assisted living?
Yes. We have cases in assisted living facilities. For nursing homes, we can only provide daytime care since the nursing home does not allow the caregiver to stay overnight with the patient.
How do I arrange to get medical equipment and medical supplies for my parent?
Equipment that is ordered by a physician may be covered by Medicare, a Medicare supplement or an insurance plan. A doctor’s written order must be presented to the pharmacy, medical equipment provider, or vendor prior to receiving the equipment or supplies.
Equipment or specialty devices are much more likely to be covered than supplies; however, obtaining prior physician written approval may help in obtaining full or partial coverage of a supply.
We can order non-Medicare covered supplies through our provider Medline at a discount.
How are emergencies handled outside of business hours?
Most situations are taken care of during normal business working hours. We do have an on-call representative 24 hours a day to handle any concerns that may arise outside of normal business hours.
Do you do drop-in visits?
Our agency will continue to be available, accessible and interested in how things are going. We send out a Case Manager to touch base with our clients every few weeks and more often if there are any issues.
When can we get a caregiver?
As soon as we can locate a qualified caregiver for your particular case. We have had a caregiver out to a patient’s home the same day as the initial call.
Contact us!
We at Safe at Home Healthcare will be glad to assess your situation. We’ll let you know if our services will best help you or your senior.
Give us a call at (800) 480-4154. Or contact us by email.
