Assisting Hands Home Care answers commonly asked questions about home care services:
Home Care Services
Does your agency provide transportation?
Yes, we provide transportation to doctor appointments, social outings and errands. If the caregiver utilizes their vehicle, then a $.58 per mile reimbursement will be applied to your statement.
My mom is healthy, but I worry about her alone at home all day. Do you offer companionship services for people like her?
Yes, we provide companionship services. We will come out and meet your Mom so that we can match her with a great companion caregiver!
Do I have to commit to a minimum number of hours of service?
We have a requirement of 4 hours minimum per shift. We do offer a variety of service options from 4 hours to live in care. We make every effort to accommodate your scheduling needs.
Can I cancel my service at any time?
Yes, we require 24-hour notice to either cancel a shift or services all together. We do understand that emergency situations arise and we are flexible.
Can I change my service or schedule?
Yes, we make every effort to be as flexible as possible and adjust to your needs if they change.
In-Home Caregivers
What are the qualifications of the people who train your caregivers?
All of our caregivers are required to have 8 hours of training. They are provided training by Caregiver List, then additional training is provided, if needed, on client specific situations by our Office Manager, Kim, who is a licensed CNA.
How are your caregivers supervised?
Caregivers are supervised by our Agency Manager, Lisa Edwards, as well as the office staff. Supervisory visits are performed on a regular basis and required by the Illinois Department of Public Health. We also use the latest technology. Software that is downloaded on our caregiver’s smartphone allows them to clock in and out as well as provide them with information on the client's needs.
Will I always have the same caregiver?
We make every effort to provide you with a consistent caregiver. Clients requiring 40 hours per week or more may have more than one caregiver.
What if my caregiver is not a good fit for me?
We make every effort to provide a good fit, but if at any time you are not completely comfortable, we will work with you to find a perfect fit.
Who answers the phone after hours if we have an emergency?
Our office staff rotates an on-call schedule so someone is available 24/7 to handle urgent situations.
Home Care Agency
Is the Agency licensed?
Yes, we are licensed by the Illinois Department of Public Health, and all of our caregivers are background-checked, bonded, and insured.
What are the Home Care benefits for Veterans?
Upon approval of application, the VA does provide between 12-15 hours per week of Home Care for Veterans. Please contact us to learn more about these benefits.
Senior Care / Aging Parents
What are the common conditions in older adults who receive home care?
Chronic conditions such as arthritis, osteoporosis, Alzheimer’s, Dementia, Parkinson's Disease, COPD ,etc can make living at home unsafe. Our in-home care services can help keep you Happy, Healthy and Home!!
What if my mother or father is stubborn and doesn’t want a caregiver?
This is very common; your mother or father have been independent their whole adult lives and having a caregiver can make them feel like they are losing their independence. We find it helpful to include them in the decision-making process. For example, ask them if they prefer a male or a female caregiver. Ask them if they prefer the caregiver to start at 8:00AM or 9:00AM. Start with shorter shifts to let them become accustomed to home care. We find that after an initial adjustment period, the caregiver becomes a part of the family.
My brothers and sisters live all over the country. How can we all stay informed about your home care services?
The advanced technology we provide allows all family members, regardless of location, to check in on how Mom/Dad is being cared for. Family can access schedules, care notes, invoices and more.
My parents are from a different generation, one where they were very distrusting of strangers in the home. Is this uncommon? How can I convince them that your home care workers are trustworthy?
This is not uncommon. You can reassure your parents that all of our caregivers are fingerprint background checked through the Illinois Dept. of Public Health's Healthcare Worker Background check and are registered in the Healthcare Worker Registry. Our caregivers are bonded and insured.
General Questions
What are the payments options you accept?
We accept many forms of payments including Check, Credit/Debit cards, ACH, VA benefits, LTC (Long Term Care) Insurance.
How long does it take you to place caregiver?
Finding a perfect caregiver for you can take time. We can usually have someone for you within 2-3 days. A live-in caregiver could take up to a week.
Who should I contact with questions about my caregiver?
You can call our office with any questions you have at (815) 281-5276.
Do I pay the caregiver directly, or do I tip the caregiver?
No, the caregiver is our employee, and we are responsible for their pay. Payment of your bill will be arranged at the time services are established. Assisting Hands caregivers should not be tipped.
Who will I meet at the initial in-home consultation?
In home consultations are performed by our office staff.
