Common Questions
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People often have the same questions about our home care services, so we have provided common questions and answers to them here. If you have additional questions, please don't hesitate to call us. Our phones are answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with local care managers: |
1. What is home care?
Home care refers to non-medical services to help people with their activities of daily living. Because so many seniors want to stay in their own homes, a wide variety of services have evolved in recent years. HomeWell Senior Care's services are available on a live-in, hourly or overnights basis and include personal care (feeding, dressing, toileting, hygiene and ambulation), homemaker services (cooking, light cleaning, laundry, transportation or grocery shopping) and companionship. Compared to moving out of the home and into a facility, home care is typically the least expensive option for one-on-one care.
2. Who needs home care?
There are five Activities of Daily Living (ADL's) that people perform to survive and function in daily life. These are feeding, dressing, toileting, hygiene and ambulation. If Individuals are not able to perform any one or more Activities of Daily living, other ADL's may be affected as a consequence. HomeWell provides no-charge, no-obligation, in-home assessments by experienced, professional Care Managers who help determine if there is a need for care.
3. What is the difference between "companion" and "personal" care?
Companion care may include friendship, household chores, talking, taking walks together and general mental stimulation. Companions providing services do not have to be certified individuals. Companion care providers may not "touch" the patient in any way. Personal Care is more comprehensive and includes help with the ADL's described above, and requires a certified health care professional to provide care. Home care companies which provide companion services do not need to be licensed by the Virginia Department of Health. Companies providing Personal Care need to be licensed by the Virginia Department of Health and must operate under strict regulations for quality care. HomeWell Senior Care is fully licensed by the Virginia Department of Health to perform all elements of personal care.
4. What does home care cost?
Home care is the best value and most comprehensive form of senior care available. HomeWell Care Managers arrange economical solutions by using an innovative assessment tool designed to calculate the fewest number of hours needed for a senior's specific care plan. Hourly care is generally $23/hr. for care during the day, $21/hr. for overnight care and $250 per day for live-in care. There is wide variability in the rates that other agencies may quote you over the phone. It is important for you to ask questions about what is included and what is NOT included, and all the circumstances which they could use to increase your rate. We keep things simple: Our rates are all-inclusive and services are provided by a nurse aide. We do not start care with lower priced “companion” rate, and then increase your price after the care has started. We are the best value in home care in Northern Virginia – call us so we can explain how we’re the best.
5. What are some examples of situations when you have helped?
Every client is unique and we develop a plan of care customized to their needs. To give you a better idea of the situations where we help our families, here are some common scenarios:
- "My dad has Alzheimer's disease and it's getting too stressful for me to provide care for him."
- "My mom fell and is getting discharged from the hospital and I am not available during the day when she needs help around the house."
- "My parents do not drive and need someone to take them to the grocery store and to doctor appointments."
- "My dad lives in a community, but they do not provide one-on-one care. I need someone for a few hours each day to check on him."
- "My sister wants to stay in her own home, but needs help with cooking, bathing and help getting up and down the stairs."
- "I hired a caregiver directly, but I have no backup when they cannot work and I'm confused about all the taxes I might owe."
- "My dad is paralyzed from a stroke and needs a live-in caregiver to help around the clock."
- "I'm taking off too much time from work to care for my parents. I need someone to be there when I cannot."
6. Can the care be provided outside my house?
Yes, in addition to residential homes, we routinely provide care in hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation facilities, independent living and assisted living facilities. Some facilities may not allow live-in care, but hourly scheduling is available for one-on-one care. We offer a special service called transition care which provides for smooth transition from home to a facility. We assist with packing up, unpacking, acclimation to the new environment and companionship during the major change.
7. What areas do you provide services?
We cover the Northern Virginia area, which includes Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax, City of Fredericksburg, Loudoun, Prince William and Stafford. All services are generally available in all areas. However, extremely rural areas may have a limited service offering or limited schedule of availability.
8. Are there any minimum number of hours?
Yes, there is a minimum shift length of 4 hours per day and a minimum of 20 hours per week. The minimum service requirement is established to ensure that your caregiver is able to develop a strong relationship and enduring bond, as well as provide adequate time to perform all services completely. There is no commitment to the number of weeks of service. You can start and stop at any time, with 24 hours notice.
9. Will you bill my Long Term Insurance provider?
Yes, about a third of our clients pay for their home care with a long term care insurance policy. Unlike many agencies, we will bill your provider directly and wait for payment. We will work with your carrier to fax them time sheets and nurses notes and take that administrative burden off of you! We are already setup with every major insurance provider. If your provider is not currently setup with us, we will set them up immediately.
10. Do you accept Medicare?
No, Medicare does not cover long term home care. However, if you are receiving Medicare skilled care at home, such as physical therapy, you may qualify for a few hours of personal care at home. These services are provided by your skilled home care provider and typically includes assistance with bathing two times per week. Ask your skilled home care provider, or give us a call with any questions.
11. Do you accept Medicaid?
HomeWell Senior Care is a private pay long term care agency. However, our sister company accepts the Medicaid. The company is called Five Star Home Health Care and you can reach them at (703) 662-7500.
12. Is there a program for Veterans?
Yes, the Veterans Administration has a program that pays a benefit for long term custodial care. It is called Aid & Attendance. To qualify, the veteran must have served 90 days of continuous active duty military service and 1 day of which was during a period of declared war. Any discharge other than dishonorable, disabled or at least age 65 and a doctor certification that the veteran or spouse has conditions requiring the aid and attendance of another person. The benefit can provide $1949 per month for a married veteran or $1056 to the spouse of a veteran. The eligibility rules are similar to Medicaid, but the income is calculated net of current health expenses. We work with an attorney that specializes in elder law and can help you apply for this benefit.
13. Will you provide references?
Yes, we will absolutely provide a list of references. The list includes current and former clients and health care professionals who work with us.
14. What is live-in care?
Live-in care is a cost effective 24-hour supervision solution, where the caregiver assists the client by day and is available to sleep in the home at night for peace of mind of the client and the client’s family. A live-in caregiver does not actually reside permanently in the home. The caregiver has a residence of their own and is paid a daily rate. About 50% of our clients use our live-in care service.
15. How do you select your caregivers?
HomeWell's caregivers are selected for their skilled, kindness, compassion for the elderly and their reliability. Every caregiver is subject to a criminal background check, a thorough interview, a rigorous competency test developed by our own nurse and personal and employment reference checks. All employees are licensed, bonded and insured by HomeWell. The client is NOT responsible for any employment taxes, liability insurance or workman’s compensation insurance. We pay all of those taxes and fees.
16. What makes HomeWell different from other home care agencies?
The HomeWell experience is unique. Our process includes a high level of involvement, from our care managers, our nurses, our office staff and our owners. We all work together to enrich the lives of seniors. We are not simply a “staffing” agency that dispatches a caregiver to your home. We manage the process to ensure seniors in our care are safe, comfortable and pampered. And, you can rest easy knowing that HomeWell Senior Care hires only the most qualified and most caring caregivers, and we are licensed by the Virginia Department of Health which requires us to follow the strict regulations required to maintain active licensure with the state.
17. What if a caregiver is unable to make an appointment?
HomeWell recruits and retains exceptional caregivers. We maintain an extensive database of caregivers and their skills and experience. In the event that your regularly scheduled caregiver is unable to be present, HomeWell will provide a replacement caregiver to meet or exceed your needs and expectations.
18. Who pays the caregiver?
HomeWell pays your caregiver. We are responsible for all of the administrative, billing, payroll and tax concerns involved in the employment process.
19. How do I set up services?
Once a request for care has been made, a Care Manager will conduct a free consultation with you. A highly flexible, personalized and suitable care plan is developed and an appropriate caregiver is assigned.