Top 10 Questions Families Should Ask A Home Care Agency

After deciding that an elderly loved one needs assistance with daily living activities at home, families have even more decisions to make. Choosing a home care provider that offers the best care at the best price is a daunting task. One of Connecticut’s largest agencies, Assisted Living Services, Inc. (ALS), offers answers after working hand-in-hand with families for nearly three decades.

“My parents were like most families starting from square one when seeking care for my great grandfather,” explains Mario D’Aquila, MBA and chief operating officer at the family-owned homecare agency with offices in Cheshire, Putnam and Westport. “They were inspired to create a quality home care solution that they were unable to find at the time.”

D’Aquila shares the top 10 questions most families ask when first contacting ALS:

1. What services are offered in non-medical home care? Non-medical home care typically includes assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) such as bathing, dressing, meal preparation, medication reminders, light housekeeping, and companionship. Typically, home care is divided into two options; hourly care and live-in care.

2. How does non-medical home care differ from medical home care? Non-medical home care focuses on providing assistance with daily tasks and companionship, while medical home care involves skilled medical services provided by licensed healthcare professionals.

3. What qualifications do caregivers have? Caregivers may have certifications in caregiving, undergo background checks, and receive specific training in areas like dementia and Alzheimer’s care.

4. How are caregivers selected and trained? Caregivers are selected based on qualifications, experience, and compatibility with the client's needs. They undergo training to ensure they can provide quality care and meet the client's preferences.

5. What safety measures are in place for clients? Safety measures may include caregiver background checks, safety assessments of the home environment, and protocols for emergencies.

6. What is the cost of non-medical home care? The cost of non-medical home care varies depending on factors such as location, level of care needed, and hours of service. It is often paid for out-of-pocket, through long-term care insurance, VA benefits, or Medicaid Waiver programs. D’Aquila encourages families to utilize specific state and federal programs that the client may qualify for:

• Medicaid Funded Home and Community-based Programs - “Some of our clients will do a “spend} down” of their personal savings until they qualify for a Medicaid-funded program to help them “age-in-place” in the comfort of their homes. Assisted Living Services, Inc. has been a credentialled provider with the Connecticut Home Care Program for Elders (CHCPE) which can be helpful in making this transition seamless.
• Adult Family Living - Relatives or friends can get paid for caring for a loved one themselves. There are four different levels of care that depend on the complexity of care needed. When a referral is made to Social Services, a professional will come to your home for an assessment and help determine eligibility and care level. The Adult Family Living Caregiver receives a non-taxable stipend based upon the approved level of care. As a credentialed provider, ALS pay a tax-free stipend of up to $563.50 per week / $29,302 per year.
• Veterans - A program entitled Veterans Aid and Attendance Benefit and Housebound allowance may be available to veterans and / or spouses that qualify. D’Aquila recommends that families obtain the services of an elder law attorney to assist with the application process.
• Long Term Care Insurance - Says D’Aquila “If you have Long Term Care Insurance you may be eligible for benefits if you cannot perform certain “activities of daily living,” or suffer from dementia or other cognitive impairment. Although our services are generally approved by most LTC plans, we are not able to guarantee the extent to which our services will be covered under any insurance plan.”

7. How are care plans customized for individual needs? Care plans should be tailored to the individual needs and preferences of each client through assessments and ongoing communication with the client and their family. “Assisted Living Services, Inc. is the first and only agency in CT to develop a program called CarePlus, which blends both care and technology to better serve the state’s elderly and disabled population,” says D’Aquila. “This innovative personal care technology is a great tool that can be used to improve safety and quality of life for people aging in place.”

8. What is the process for assessing and reassessing care needs? Care needs are assessed initially by ALS with a free in-home visit and checklist. The plan should be reassessed periodically to ensure that the care plan remains appropriate and effective. “A comprehensive care plan is not “one and done,” notes D’Aquila. “As the client’s needs change, so too does the optimal level of personal and technological support.”

9. How flexible are scheduling options? Non-medical home care agencies typically offer flexible scheduling options to accommodate clients' needs and preferences.

10. How is communication maintained between caregivers, clients, and families? Agencies should maintain open communication channels between caregivers, clients, and families through regular updates, care coordination meetings, and accessible support staff.

About Assisted Living Services, Inc.

Since 1996, award-winning home care agency Assisted Living Services, Inc. (ALS) in Cheshire, Putnam and Westport has provided quality care to residents across Connecticut. Its unique CarePlus program blends personal care by over 700 employees and caregivers with technological safety and monitoring devices from sister company Assisted Living Technologies, Inc. ALS was ranked on the 2020 Inc. 5000 list of fastest growing companies and recognized by Home Care Pulse® as a “Best of Home Care Leader In Excellence”, a designation given to the best home care providers in the nation. Learn more by visiting www.assistedlivingct.com or calling 203.634.8668.