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Frequently Asked Home Care Questions

Frequently Asked Questions about Home Care in Mercer, Monmouth and Ocean Counties

What do home care services include?

Our home care services include assistance with personal care and activities of daily living (ADLs). This includes dressing, grooming, medication reminders, bathing, companionship, transportation, exercises, laundry, light housekeeping, meal preparation, and more. Check out our full list of services.

My mom doesn’t need health care but I don’t feel comfortable leaving her alone at night. Are caregivers available to be there with her?

Yes! Our licensed caregivers provide personal care and companionship services and are focused on establishing a connection with seniors like your mom. Our services are specifically tailored to meet their needs.

What are some common conditions in older adults who receive home care?

Common conditions in older adults who receive home care include: osteoporosis, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, arthritis, Multiple Sclerosis, and more that can make it unsafe to live independently.

 

But our elderly care services can help your loved one stay at home by providing fall prevention, light housekeeping, companionship, bathing, preparing meals, and more.

Does your agency provide transportation services?

Yes. We can provide transportation services to and from doctor’s offices, errands, and social outings. There is a small fee for mileage if the caregiver uses their own vehicle that is applied to your statement.

Can I cancel my home care services at any time?

Services can be terminated at any time after an initial two (2) week commitment. Once the agreement for service has been finalized and client voluntarily cancels service, the client will be charged for the full two (2) week commitment at the regular full shift rate to cover the caregiver’s loss of work and expenses incurred by the AHHC office.

 

During the service period, if the client voluntarily cancels a shift within 24 hours of service, client will bear full cost of entire cancelled shift.

 

If client voluntarily terminates services in its entirety, the following notices must be given:

  • Hourly service – five (5) business days’ notice must be given, or deposit will be forfeited.
  • Live-In – seven (7) calendar days’ notice must be given or deposit will be forfeited.

 We are flexible and understand that plans change quickly in emergency situations.

What is the minimum number of hours required for home care services?

There is a four (4) hour minimum for service and we tailor the length and/or frequency of shifts to what is needed by each client. We will work with you to come at the times that are most convenient for you.

What are your caregivers’ qualifications?

Our caregivers are licensed as Certified Home Health Aides by the New Jersey Board of Nursing after completing after 76 hours of training that is a combination of classroom and clinical training. The Board of Nursing also conducts criminal background checks and the license must be renewed every two years. After passing an extensive background check, our caregivers are each trained and attend ongoing training sessions related to dementia care, hospice care, and more to improve our home care services.

Will I always have the same caregiver?

Provided that you are comfortable with your caregiver, you will usually have the same one. This is to ensure you, our caregivers, and staff, the best communication and care.

What if my caregiver is not a good fit?

Your comfort is our first priority; we will find the best fit if you are not currently satisfied. We will also check in frequently to ensure you are comfortable with your new caregiver. If not, we will keep working until we have the best fit.

If there is an emergency, is someone available to answer the phone?

Yes. Our staff is available 24/7 to answer emergency calls. We feel that it is very important to have caring staff available at all hours of the day.

Is your agency licensed?

Assisting Hands Home Care is licensed as a health care services firm (HCFS) through the the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs. HCFS License HP0276400. Our agency bonded and insured. Each of our caregivers are also employees of Assisting Hands Home Care, assuming all responsibilities for liability, workman’s compensation, staffing concerns, and salaries. All of our caregivers are trained and licensed as certified home health aides (CHHA).

Do you require a deposit for home care services?

We determine if a deposit is necessary on a case by case basis. If a deposit is required and the service is canceled, the deposit will be applied to any remaining balances for services rendered.

Do you have home care benefits for veterans?

We love our veterans and work with the Aid & Attendance VA pension benefit program. Veterans receive exclusive pension funds to pay for the cost of home care. We are also a VA-approved provider.

When is the right time to look for home care services?

Assisting Hands Home Care uses the activities of daily living (ADLs) as a guide to determine when home care is necessary. If your loved one is no longer able to do two or more of the tasks from this list: showering/bathing, grooming, continence care, dressing, or eating, it might be time for home care.

 

Depending on their care needs, they may need a caregiver during the day or overnight.

 

Here are some additional signs a caregiver may be necessary:

  • Concern for Driving: If you feel worried about your loved one behind the wheel, such as having a slower reaction time, our caregivers can gladly provide transportation services.
  • Home is Dirty: If you notice that the home is no longer clean or hasn’t been maintained, our caregivers can provide light housekeeping. We will handle everything including dusting, sweeping and mopping, vacuuming, taking out the trash, laundry, and more.
  • Lack of Nutrition: If you notice your loved one no longer cooks, our caregivers can prepare and cook meals for them. They will also follow all dietary restrictions.
  • Falls: If your loved one has suffered a number of falls, or was admitted to the hospital after a fall, we can help. Each of our caregivers are trained in fall prevention and will take measures to prevent them from happening again, such as clearing walkways of tripping hazards.
  • Additional Safety Concerns: Other hazards may be present in the house without your loved one knowing. This includes forgetting to turn off the stove or leaving the door unlocked. One of our caregivers can stop by in the evening to ensure your loved one’s home is free of hazards. They can ensure that the burners are off, they have taken their medication, and the doors are locked.

My parents can be stubborn and don’t want a caregiver. What can I do?

It’s common for family members to feel hesitant towards a caregiver, especially after they have taken care of themselves all their lives. They may also feel uncomfortable with the idea of inviting a stranger into their home.

 

To ease their stress, it helps to involve them in the decision-making process as much as possible. For example, you can ask them which times are best to have their caregiver come over or if they prefer male or female.

 

Over time, they will become more familiar with the idea of a caregiver and may eventually look forward to their caregiver coming over.

I don’t live close to my parents. How can we all stay updated with home care services?

We consider our clients as part of our family. If you are worried about your loved one who lives far away, simply give us a call, and we will gladly update you. Our home care agency is convienently located in Sea Girt, New Jersey, and serves clients in Mercer, Monmouth and Ocean counties. In case of emergency, we will work quickly to get to your loved ones.

My parents are from a generation of which they are distrusting of people entering their home. How can I convince them that caregivers can be trusted?

This is a very common challenge, however, each of our caregivers passes state and national background checks before they are sent to a home. All of our caregivers are trained and certified CHHAs so that they are held to a high professional standard. Our home care agency assumes all legal responsibilities of our caregivers as they are our employees.

When is it time to consider hospice?

Hospice is a special type of care to help someone with a terminal illness live as well as possible for as long as possible, increasing quality of life. It is a comprehensive interdisciplinary team of professionals that addresses physical, psychosocial, and spiritual distress focused on both the person in hospice care and their entire family. When there is a prognosis of fewer than 6 months related to a medical condition, hospice can be an option. If you are unsure if your loved one needs hospice care, our on-staff director of nursing is available to answer any questions or evaluate any changes in health status. Hospice does require a doctor's order, so a visit to their office can help.  We will gladly recommend one of our trusted hospice providers to answer any of your questions.

What is the difference between hospice care and palliative care?

The difference between hospice care and palliative care is that a patient on hospice care has a terminal diagnosis whereas the palliative care patient may start symptom management within the first stages of the disease. But hospice care and palliative care both share the same goal of symptom and pain management.

How does home care fit into hospice and palliative care?

Our hospice care assistance fits into hospice and palliative care by coordinating with the hospice care team to ensure that you are comfortable and well cared for. Our caregivers can help with transferring, repositioning, bathing, light meal preparation, changing bedsheets, and provide companionship in between visits from hospice care workers.

Can you help with some home modifications to keep my loved one’s home safe?

Yes! Assisting Hands Home Care can provide connections to local resources who can assist with installing home modifications to keep their home safe.

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