We hope this will answer the most Frequently Asked Questions at Families Choice Home Care. If you have more questions, please don’t hesitate to call 909-303-9377.
What is home care?
In-home senior care means you or your loved one can get the help you need in your own home, so you do not need to move into a facility. Home care providers, such as Families Choice Home Care, deliver non-medical personal care. They can help with:
- Chair-to-bed transfers
- Personal hygiene tasks
- Medication reminders
- Light housekeeping
- Meal preparation
- Companionship services, and much more
What is home health care?
Home health care is delivered to homebound patients by medical companies and medical professionals such as doctors, physical and occupational therapists, nurses, speech therapists, and other skilled medical staff.
What is the difference between home care and home health care?
Home care providers assist with non-medical care tasks and often work in cooperation with home health professionals to help seniors. Home care providers deliver sustained non-medical support for as long as the client needs and desires.
On the other hand, home health aides come in for select appointments or therapy sessions and leave at the conclusion. People who receive home health care may have specific conditions and need skilled nursing.
Senior home care vs. assisted living vs. nursing homes
Home care means a caregiver comes to you or your loved one’s home and you choose the number of hours and types of services you need.
Assisted living means your loved one lives full-time in a community with access to care services and social activities. In a nursing home, your loved one lives full-time in a clinical setting with access to professional medical care, nursing care, and even palliative care.
Click here for more information about the differences between assisted living and a nursing home.
What is respite care for the elderly?
Respite care means family members and caregivers can get a break from the unpaid labor of caring for a senior loved one. A professional caregiver can come to your home for any number of hours you need. It’s a chance for you to get out of the house, run errands, and take care of yourself.
What is memory care?
Memory care is for people living with Alzheimer’s, dementia, and other forms of memory loss. This is a challenging situation for everyone involved. In-home memory care services can help you understand how to look after your loved one as their condition progresses.
How to get in-home care for the elderly?
Getting in-home care for you or your loved one is simple. Just search for home care services near you and request a free assessment.
Fees & Payments
How much does home care cost per hour?
In-home senior care costs can vary because each care plan is customized to the individual client. The hourly rate for elderly care is usually between $32 and $38, depending on services provided. Click here for tips on how to budget for home health care.
How much does 24/7 in-home care cost?
If your loved one needs round-the-clock assistance, you will likely pay a lower hourly rate for home care than if you need just a few hours of care. But the total cost will be higher. Talk to a team member about finding the right schedule for you and your family.
How much does in-home dementia care cost?
Caregivers who specialize in caring for people with dementia and memory loss have undergone extra training, so their services may cost more than standard home care services. We will work with you to find the right care plan and caregiver for your loved one.
What is the cost of assisted living vs. in-home care?
The cost of assisted living may range from $3,500 to $7,000 per month, with the Los Angeles area average of about $5,250. The cost of in-home care will depend on how many hours you would like a caregiver to spend with you or your loved one, and what services you need. As of 2021, the average cost of in-home care in the greater Los Angeles area was $31 per hour. In general, home care will be much cheaper than assisted living.
What is the cost of a nursing home vs. in-home care?
If your loved one only needs assistance with a few tasks, in-home care might cost just over $1,300/month for about 10 hours of care per week. By contrast, a nursing home in California may cost over $10,000/month
Will Medicare pay for caregivers and does Medicare cover home health care?
Medicare may pay for some services, but it’s unlikely. For more information about Medicare coverage, click here.
Does long-term care insurance cover in-home care?
Yes, most long-term insurance policies do cover the costs of home care. We help families activate their coverage by providing the necessary paperwork and filing the required documents.
Does Social Security Disability pay for in-home care?
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is more likely to cover home health care services than home care services. You will need to meet the criteria and prove you or your loved one is housebound and needs skilled care, plus get your doctor’s approval.
Does TRICARE pay for home care?
TRICARE may cover home care services as long as you get prior authorization and get home care services from a participating home health agency.
Is home health care tax deductible?
The medical services of private home care may be tax deductible, but personal care and housekeeping services are not generally tax deductible. To take advantage of any tax benefits, make sure you keep your home care expenses itemized so you can claim any qualifying expenses.
How often will I be billed?
Families Choice Home Care will send you a detailed, itemized invoice every two weeks. You pay the company directly through check, ACH, or credit card (which would include a 3% fee).
Do I pay the caregiver directly?
No. You do not pay caregivers, nor do they accept tips.
Schedules & Care Visits
Is it possible to start service today?
Yes. In most cases, we can provide care support immediately. After you make the call, we will meet with you, usually within a couple of hours, to provide a free preliminary assessment to determine your care needs. Caregivers can be scheduled to help soon after.
Do I have to sign a long-term contract?
No. Home care is customized to your needs and preferences and so are the number of care visits. There is no long-term contract. You can cancel at any time.
Are your services available around the clock, even on weekends and overnight?
Absolutely. Caregivers are available 24/7 and there is someone to take your call at any hour.
Are your caregivers insured in my home?
Yes. Families Choice Home Care is an insured and bonded provider of home care and our caregivers are insured through the company.
What if I need to change the schedule or care plan?
Then changes will be made. We are here to support you and your loved one. When circumstances change, we can change the plan and care visits to accommodate those needs.
Can you care for someone who lives in assisted living or a nursing home?
Yes, we serve clients and families in private residences, retirement communities, and assisted-living communities and provide safety and companionship care and advocacy to clients in nursing homes, rehabilitation facilities, and hospitals.
I am having surgery and just need a little bit of help – do I have to sign a long-term agreement?
No. You are not required to sign a long-term agreement. Our caregivers are here to support you when you return from the hospital and as long as you need while you recover from surgery.
Many of our clients find that with in-home caregiver support they have more time to focus on their recovery and they heal faster. Our goal is to help you feel better so that you can return to your independent lifestyle as soon as possible. Our agreement ends, when you no longer need us.
Caregiver Qualifications & Care Delivery
How are your caregivers selected?
We hire caring, compassionate, and intelligent individuals who want to make a difference in the lives of seniors. Our caregivers are people who sought a meaningful career that allowed them to make a positive difference in their communities. They find meaning through caregiving.
What is your employee screening process?
Our rigorous hiring and training program includes a criminal background check, drug screening and driving record check. Each person we hire must have a clean driving record and up-to-date insurance. We carefully verify and check all references.
What is the training process for caregivers?
Once an individual is hired, he or she begins extensive caregiver training courses that include all facets of client care as well as specialized training in the care of people with dementia. Families Choice Home Care also provides and encourages ongoing training and advanced certification programs.
What if I don’t like my caregiver? Can I make a change?
Yes. We do everything we can to match the needs, preferences, interests, and personality of your loved one to a caregiver who shares those qualities in the hopes of a comfortable connection.
If the match isn’t working, please tell us and we will select another caregiver for your loved one. Your loved one’s care and comfort are our priority.
Do your caregivers have experience working with those who have dementia?
Yes. Every caregiver who works with a senior who is living with dementia or memory loss has extensive training in dementia care. Families Choice Home Care is an active participant in the Leaders in Dementia Care training program through the Alzheimer’s Association California Southland Chapter.
Can I talk to the caregivers directly?
While direct communication is not permitted when a caregiver is not in the home, the Families Choice office is available around the clock and staff will be happy to pass your messages on to caregivers.
At Families Choice Home Care we are committed to protecting the privacy of both our clients and our caregivers and to upholding the highest professional standards.
Do you provide regular updates or is there someone I can call for immediate information?
Yes. Caregivers will document their daily work with clients in the Care Plan Book. This book includes notes on each care visit, alerts about changes in health, care, or client preferences and a log of daily living activities.
This Care Plan Book remains in your home. It is there for your review and also serves as a tool to help the caregiving team provide a consistent care routine for the client. Care Managers are also available for in-person (or over the phone) care conferences with families (and with other care providers).
Beyond that, we have people answering the phones to get you the information and support you need anytime day or night.
Can your caregivers administer medications?
We do not administer medication, but we can remind clients to take prescribed medicines at the correct times. We observe and document the client taking the medicines, and the dosages and types taken.
Can your caregivers drive to doctor’s appointments?
Yes, our caregivers can serve as personal drivers for elderly people. Our caregivers can transport seniors to medical appointments, and they will help your loved one check in and settle into the waiting room.
If the wait time is long, caregivers will communicate again with receptionists to help to facilitate the appointment. If desired, caregivers can even sit in on the appointment and take notes of what occurs.
Following the appointment, caregivers will help the senior safely to the car, pick up any necessary prescriptions, and drive them home. Once there, we will help them settle back comfortably into their residence.
Who is Families Choice Home Care?
Families Choice Home Care is a locally owned, non-medical, home care company providing trained caregivers and companionship care to seniors living at home, in assisted living communities, and to those people in rehabilitation facilities, nursing homes, and hospitals.
What areas does Families Choice serve?
Our caregivers are proud to serve families in cities all over the greater Inland Empire. For a complete list of our service areas, click here.