FAQ's
Frequently Asked Questions - answered by Elite Home Care Services company President, Carmen Van Patten

What is home care?
In its truest meaning, home care refers to any type of care (medical or non-medical) that is provided to the patient in their home. In recent years, however, there has been a slight shift in using the terminology to emphasize non-medical care such as companionship/homemaking services or personal care services.

How does home care differ from home healthcare?
While home care can be used to describe both medical and non-medical care, typically home care refers to non-medical care such as companionship/homemaking services or personal care services, while home healthcare refers to the provision of skilled nursing care and other care such as speech, physical or occupational therapy.

Why choose home care over institutional care?
1.  Essentially, home care is provided in the home and that keeps families together.
When we do not feel well, most of us want to be at home. We enjoy the comforts of home and the joys of being with loved ones. When we have a loved one who is ill, we try to get them home as quickly as possible. Home care is particularly important in times of illness when families want and need to be near one another for support.

2.   Home care is a comforting alternative to long-term care facilities.
Since most of us would prefer to stay in our own homes as long as possible, home care can provide a level of service that is customizable to the client’s needs.

3.   Home care is safe and helps promote healing.
The risks of being in an institution, such as infection, are eliminated or minimized when care is provided in the home. There is scientific evidence that many patients heal faster at home.

4.   Home care is less expensive than other forms of care and is actually the preferred form of care.
If skilled care is not needed around the clock, home care can allow you to create a customized care plan that meets your needs and your budget. National studies have shown that 95 percent of those age 75 and older prefer to stay in their current residence for as long as possible.

Who pays for home care?
Home care is private duty and therefore private pay. This means that you pay for home care. There are some insurances who will pay for home care and unfortunately the government has not seen fit to include these beneficial services under the Medicare program. However, depending on need, the Area on Aging may be able to offer some assistance with home care bills.

What makes your agency different from any of the others?
In a single word, ME! I have been referred to as a Guardian Angel, a life  saver and the next best thing to sliced bread by my clients. When it comes to the caliber and quality of care for my clients, no one else comes close. Spend a few minutes with me and you'll understand why I am so good at what I do. I am also a very hands-on type of business owner/operator. I am always out and about checking on each of my clients on a regular basis. My clients, and their care, is very important to me. Unlike some other agency owners, I can always be reached either through the office or my cell phone.

Why shouldn't I just hire my own caregiver instead of paying your agency?
You could, but I doubt that you'd be saving any money. If you hire someone, you become the employer. As an employer, you may well be responsible for withholding all state and federal payroll taxes. You would then have to report these taxes. You may well be responsible for providing workers' compensation insurance for your employee(s).

By retaining the services of Elite Home Care, I pay all the payroll taxes, file all the required payroll reports and provide workers' compensation insurance. Also, all of my caregivers are fully insured and bonded. Since I take care of taxes and insurances, my operating costs get higher - which means that I have to charge more in order to recover these costs.

Don't just take my word for it. Check with your accountant or, better yet, the Internal Revenue Service. And before deciding between hiring your own caregivers or mine, ask yourself this one question: Do I want to spend my time being  with my loved one or do I want to spend the time dealing with employee problems and taxes and insurances? I bet I know which you will choose.

Okay! I hire your agency to care for a loved one. What happens then?
Before assuming the responsiblity of caring for your loved one, I would meet with the family or primary decision maker. I would need to assess the needs to be 100% sure that our services meet the needs of your loved one. From there, we would sign a contract specifying all the details such as what services are to be provided, the hours of our services and the cost. Once a contract is in place, we would then begin placing caregivers on a temporary basis until your loved one is comfortable with the caregiver(s) we place in the home. I feel it is extremely important that a loved one be completely at ease with the caregiver(s) in their home.

My loved one suffers from a terminal illness. Can you still care for them?
In most cases we can. I, personally, specialize in end-of-life care. I work closely with several hospices and when the end is near for your loved one, youwill find that I am there on a regular basis until your loved one passes. I am there to make sure that my terminal clients spend their final hours as comfortable as possble. I am there to make sure that their passing is done with dignity.

What if I have questions that are not answered here?
Feel free to call me at the office. Be patient. Remember that I have a pretty busy schedule checking on my clients during the day. It might be evening before you hear from me, so be sure to leave an evening number.