How will I know when a Care Giving Service is needed?
When an individual is struggling with the Activities of Daily Living and/or Personal Care, i.e., meal preparation, light housekeeping, getting in and out of the shower safely, getting mail from their mail box, grocery shopping, doctors' appointments, getting dressed, grooming oneself, taking out trash, etc. The other consideration is for the loved one or friend who may be helping the individual with the daily activities.
What is the process of getting an In-Home Care Service?
Please call our office at any time (269-382-3355); we are available 24/7. Christine will set up an appointment that best fits your needs to meet with you and perform a free In-Home Assessment to assess all of your needs or your loved one's needs, as well as find the best fit with a care provider. We look at the needs of the client as well as the personality to make sure our clients are comfortable with who is coming into their homes and providing care.
Is private-pay the only option for In-Home Care?
We accept private pay, Long Term Insurance, Auto Insurance (if due to a car accident), we work with the Waiver programs through Area Agency on Aging and Senior Services, and we accept clients through the Department of Human Services.
What is the Geographical area supported by Stay Home Companions?
Stay Home Companions covers all of Kalamazoo County. Anyone needing care who lives outside the county should contact us and inquire. We have many caregivers in our outlying areas and may be able to support your needs. Let us help you find the care you need.
What is meant by "Non-Medical Care"?
We can assist with all Activities of Daily Living, Personal Care, medication reminders, light housekeeping, transportation, end of life care. We can not prescribe medication nor administer, we can not perform Nurse's duties or Physical Therapy duties, but we can work with them as well as work with Hospice for End of Life Care.
How are the Stay Home Companions' Caregivers qualified/certified?
Potential Care Givers are given a thorough interview during the application process, and a Background Check is conducted. Once the interview and Background Check are completed, the new caregiver is then given a 90-day probation period for job-related performance, conduct, and adherence to mandatory HIPAA and SHC policies. Quarterly training requirements, On-the-Job training, and specific-needs training are also performed throughout the term of employment. Throughout the employment of the Care Giver with SHC, continued random monitoring is conducted by staff in the field. Any reported concerns or incidents are investigated in a timely manner and handled accordingly. Care Giver experience level, past training, and personality are weighed into the needs and personality of the client to ensure a good balance. (See next question below in the event there is a problem.)
What happens if the caregiver provided is not suitable for my family's needs?
Please do not hesitate to talk with us. Call our office anytime to talk about the situation. We understand that some personalities do not fit or some Care Providers may be more skilled than others. We have many wonderful Care Providers with different skills and personalities. We want the best fit for you and your family! Providing care is our most important priority. Having a good mix of client/provider enhances the care provided.
What is on the Stay Home Companions' Facebook page that might be of interest to me?
The Stay Home Companions' Facebook (FB) page is an extension of this website. This website gives you info at a glance, to help you make important decisions and answer immediate questions. Our Facebook page continues with more information, How-To videos, and much more to grow in your decision about in-home care. Also, there are client-provided videos, valuable studies, tips for Dementia, Parkinson's, Alzheimer, Crohn's, etc., and caring practices for a client who is paralyzed or crippled, care best-practices learned and shared by our caregivers and others. If you are not a member of Facebook already, you can view our FB page with a loved one or friend who is already a FB member.
Please, visit our Facebook page! Christine does a fantastic job of updating the latest info to help you understand what you are experiencing. If, for no other reason, go there to get ideas on where you can find support groups, newsletters, chat forums, etc.
