Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
A. On How We Care For Your Loved One
What is home care and why is it necessary?
Non-medical in-home care refers to support services provided to individuals – usually seniors or people with disabilities – that help them carry out activities of daily living (bathing, grooming, toileting, feeding, etc.) in the comfort of their own home but does not involve medical treatment. The services are typically delivered by caregivers/home care aides/companions, rather than nurses or doctors. The scope of services we provide at CareWhile constitute non-medical in-home care. The primary benefits of such care are the enablement to age independently at home, a higher quality of life as one is able to maintain their routines/connections, the cost effectiveness in comparison to most nursing homes, the relief provided to family caregivers and the improved safety as ones loved one will not be left alone at home.
How do I determine the specific care needs for my loved one?
We will conduct an initial care assessment with you and your loved one. We will help you paint a clearer picture of where things are today and then help you design a new care path that is tailored to your health improvement aspirations. This assessment will be used to develop your unique Individual Service Plan that incorporates insights from any known habits, specific health needs, personal goals, etc. to guide the care that is to be received.
What does the journey with CareWhile look like for me or my loved on?
Once we have understood your needs and developed your care plan, you will be matched with one of our caregivers. Your caregiver will address your care needs and develop a record of progress towards your goals. A member of our leadership team will routinely review progress with you and the caregiver for feedback and to discuss any needed changes. Let us know how we can be of assistance to you today.
How will care be addressed if I only need help with something like preparing meals or just need occasional support for a few hours?
We understand that everyone has unique care needs. As such, we offer short-term service packages that could be as low as an hour long and long-term service packages. Let us know how we can be of assistance to you today.
Can I receive a caregiver around the clock (24/7)?
We like to emphasize the independence of those we care for with the understanding that 24/7 coverage is expensive for many families. Our caregivers are available from morning until evening, allowing you to rest independently at night – we’ll arrive to say good morning on the next day. As such, we do not currently offer around the clock service. Please let us know how we can better accommodate your schedule.
How will emergencies be handled?
We have an internal emergency and disaster relief policy which we strictly adhere to. In addition, prior to commencing service, we obtain emergency contact information to ensure that loved ones are promptly updated in the event that the unexpected happens.
What do I do if I want to add on/make changes to the care that is received?
You may request an update to your personal care plan at any time. In addition, a periodic review of progress against the care plan will be performed with you and a member of our leadership team to discuss elements that may need to be modified.
B. On Who Our Caregivers Are
What kind of training do the caregivers receive?
Our caregivers receive the standard entry level and routine annual training required for care aides. In addition, our staff are also given specialized training to address focused care needs (e.g. to provide care for someone with Alzheimer's / Dementia or someone in need of a special diet [e.g. resulting from Diabetes / High Blood Pressure]). All caregivers undergo and pass a background check before being assigned.
How involved will nurses or other medical staff be in the day to day care?
While we do not provide nurses or other medical staff as part of our services, we are available to accompany you for doctor’s visits or other medical check-ups. The services we provide (Errands, Homemaking, Companionship, Personal Care, etc. do not require nursing or medical staff.
How will I be matched with a caregiver?
Matching with an available caregiver will incorporate factors like the level of care needed, location, hobbies, your specific preferences and more to ensure that compatibility is optimized.
How will a backup be assigned if my caregiver calls in sick or has an emergency?
You will be matched with the next available caregiver based on the same factors mentioned above.
Can I always have my favorite caregiver assigned?
While we understand that over time, one can develop a preference for a given caregiver, we also acknowledge that a given caregiver will not always be available for various reasons (vacation, emergency, career change, relocation, the list can go on). As such, we cannot guarantee consistent assignment of a specific caregiver.
C. On How to Address the Cost of Care
What are my options to cover the cost of care?
Private Pay: Also known as “out of pocket” is the most common and the only type of method that CareWhile can accommodate at the moment. Primarily this would come from ones savings (e.g. 401K, pension disbursements other personal accounts) or through family contributions where the cost is split between siblings or other relatives. We are currently working on approvals for the other options below. Long Term Care Insurance: This will depend on whether or not your policy includes home care benefits. Please note stipulations within your policy that provide guidance on the type of care that is covered. Medicaid: Eligibility for this coverage is based on your level of income and the assets you have. Utilization of In-Home Support Services through the Department of Social Services will enable you to use this method for coverage. Veterans Benefits: This will enable eligible veterans and their spouses to pay for in home-care. Note: Medicare does not cover the cost of long term “non-medical in-home care” if it is the only type of care needed. Medicare may cover the cost of short term “medical home health care” that is required after a hospital visit.
How should I weigh the differences in cost between using licensed vs unlicensed care?
With licensed care, the Home Care Organization employs their caregivers and accepts all employer responsibilities. This includes important employee and client protections, such as workers’ compensation coverage, unemployment insurance coverage, and employer-paid share of payroll taxes. With unlicensed care, should an incident happen in your home, you and/or your loved ones may be liable for out of pocket compensation for claims such as unemployment claims, workers’ compensation claims, and possible tax liability. While some unlicensed agencies may offer lower prices for what may appear to be similar services, there may be legal implications for you and/or your loved ones as you are hiring the individual and are now responsible as the employer. You may also reference the Licensed vs Unlicensed Care Fact Sheet for more details on the Community Care Licensing Division website here: https://www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/community-care/home-care-services/resources-for-seniors-and-families.
What type of pricing should I be expecting?
At CareWhile, we believe every family deserves compassionate care that’s both high-quality and affordable. We offer flexible pricing based on the period requested (e.g. holidays), level of support needed, the duration of care, and the type of service needed. e.g. Local Errand Rates go from $34.99 / hr. to $49.99 / hr plus applicable mileage. Please contact us to discuss care rates that are tailored to your needs and any promotions that may be applied.
D. On Other General Considerations
How do I initiate the conversation with a family member to receive care?
Consider the following 3 steps: Empathize: Try to imagine what your family member is going through and consider why they may or may not want to receive external care (e.g. cost, trust, independence). Consider how you would address these matters. Present the Facts: Talk to them about what you have seen, the potential risks and how it is making you feel. Be as specific as possible. Listen First, then Suggest: Understand their point of view and get a sense of the extent to which they acknowledge your concerns. Suggest a call with CareWhile for the Free Initial Assessment noting that you are under no obligation to sign-up for services after the assessment.
Do you have operations in other states or cities?
We have not yet started expansion outside of California. For now, our services are limited to Los Angeles County but we look forward to extending care beyond the current frontier.
Are there things that I can do on my own time to improve my loved ones care?
Definitely. If you are already receiving care from us, take a look at the care plan and help your loved one follow it on the days that we are not scheduled to come in. One of the benefits of in-home care is being able to maintain that connection with family. Use the structure provided by the care plan to build on the connection that you already have. If you are not yet already receiving care from us, start by having the conversation with your loved one on what issues they are having and how they would like for you to be of assistance. Be sure to let them know that you do not feel bothered by their request.
How do I make a referral?
Simply send the link to our “contact us” page for them to input their details. Don’t forget to remind them to provide commentary on how they heard about us. We would love to recognize you for spreading the word.