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What do private duty/personal care agencies such as HomeCare Assistants do?
Our goal is to help people maintain their independence and quality of life wherever they live--in an apartment, home, assisted living center or skilled care facility. Our services range from occasional visits, escorting people to appointments, to helping with bathing, dressing, administering medications and toileting. We are also trained to assist bed-bound individuals and offer bedside "sitter services" in hospitals and skilled care centers when family cannot be there.
Aren't all agencies the same?
At HomeCare Assistants, the caregivers are trained and closely supervised by a nurse/care manager on an ongoing basis to ensure quality care and family satisfaction. If a problem arises, we work together with the patient and family to fix it. Most other agencies are employment agencies, collecting a one-time fee from families at the time of placement, and their supervisory services end there.
Who will decide the best way to care for myself or my loved one?
When you work with HomeCare Assistants, a nurse/care manager will be the first person to visit the client and family to decide together on the best schedule and array of services. This is an added benefit of working with HCA that is not available elsewhere--a benefit that ensures that services are tailored to the client's specific needs and continually adjusted as they change over time.
How do I choose an agency?
The main thing is to know the right questions to ask. Click here for a brief checklist of questions you should ask.
What is the background of the staff?
HomeCare Assistants come from many different backgrounds, but all of them are experienced home health aides or certified nurse's aides who understand the needs of the elderly and their families. We provide each of them with significant training designed around each patient's needs.
How are the caregivers supervised and monitored?
HomeCare Assistant are closely supervised by a nurse/care manager, as well as the administrative staff, who make periodic unannounced visits to make sure clients continue to receive high-quality care. As part of our quality assurance program, aides are required to call into a special caller I.D. line when they arrive at the client's home and when they leave.
Can I trust the caregivers?
It can be hard to let a stranger into your home or the home of a loved one, particularly if that person is in some way impaired. That's why we conduct criminal background checks on all staff. All employees are bonded and insured. In addition, all employees sign confidentiality agreements that ensure that your illness or that of your loved one will not be casually discussed outside your home.
What happens if we have a problem with a caregiver?
We do our best to match the right caregiver with each client according to their personality, healthcare requirements and personal needs. If a client or family is dissatisfied or a conflict arises, we will act quickly to rectify the situation or find a suitable replacement. Our nurse/care managers are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to answer your questions and provide care.
What if there is already a homecare agency or hospice in place?
HomeCare Assistants frequently is brought in to help fill in any gaps and perform duties that may not be covered by these other providers. We work cooperatively with the client, family and other providers to determine an appropriate schedule of supportive services. HomeCare Assistants is a subsidiary of Midwest Palliative & Hospice CareCenter, a nonprofit, community-based organization that also offers home care and hospice services in northern and southern Cook County as well as all of Lake County.
What if I live outside your service area?
HomeCare Assistants of the North Shore has relationships with a number of other high-quality agencies to which we frequently refer clients from outside our area.
What are the costs for the services of a personal caregiver?
Costs vary depending on when, how often and how long the services of a caregiver are required. (Services include assessment and ongoing supervision by a nurse care manager.) All rates may be adjusted for holidays and weekends. Transportation charges also may apply.
For more information, send us an e-mail at hca@carecenter.org
To speak to someone personally, call (847) 328-2000.
© 2002 HomeCare Assistants of the NorthShore