FAQ's

Below are frequently asked questions about CAREGiver services.

The answers provided specifically address Home Instead Senior Care home care services, however, this is also a useful tool if you are looking to compare home care agency services.

General FAQ’s 

How are CAREGivers selected?

How do you train your CAREGivers?

What happens if my CAREGiver gets sick?

Do you provide senior services to those in nursing homes or assisted living facilities?

What makes Home Instead Senior Care different from other companies?

Who pays the CAREGiver, you or me?

Why should I use Home Instead Senior Care rather than someone out of the newspaper?

What are your rates and minimum hours of service?

Is Home Instead Senior Care a maid service?

 

General FAQ Answers

How are CAREGivers selected?

At Home Instead Senior Care, we look for people that have a passion to help seniors live independently. Each potential CAREGiver must successfully complete a thorough personal and professional reference and criminal background checks.  Not only do we run a CORI check, but we also run a counties by counties criminal background check if the applicant has lived out of state within the past 7 years. We also check the Nurse and Sex Offender Registry as well as check the Auto Insurance policy coversheet for a point count. Because all of our CAREGivers are able to drive our clients, we need to make sure they are with safe drivers. We also check three personal and professional references each.  Since, all of our CAREGivers are our employees, they are bonded and insured.
Read more about our CAREGiver screening>

How do you train your CAREGivers?

Home Instead CAREGivers participate in an exclusive senior care training program, which covers the most practical topics and situations encountered in providing elder care.

Our CAREGivers are required to attend a three-hour orientation, which includes topics of senior home safety, activities from cooking to brain stimulating games as well as our office procedures.  All CAREGivers must complete and pass a test at the end of each training session.  Ongoing trainings are completed once a month either by attending an in-office session or as a take home exam and  CAREGivers must attend at least 6 hours of ongoing training per year.  Topics may include how to handle depression in a senior or getting seniors motivated for physical activity. 

Many of our CAREGivers have also completed a proprietary Alzheimer’s and Dementia training course.
Read more about our CAREGiver training>

What happens if my CAREGiver gets sick?

At Home Instead Senior Care we incorporate a team approach to providing care for our seniors.  Many times, if one CAREGiver is sick, another CAREGiver on the team can fill in for your home care needs. And because our CAREGivers are well trained, if your team of CAREGivers is not available, we can provide another CAREGiver who will be adaptable and knowledgeable about your loved one.

Do you provide senior services to those in nursing homes or assisted living facilities?

Yes, Home Instead CAREGivers provide elderly companionship to residents in assisted living facilities and nursing homes who may require additional attention and/or personalized long term care.

What makes Home Instead Senior Care different from other companies?

As the world's largest, most trusted home care company, no one else provides comprehensive CAREGiver training, client-CAREGiver compatibility and quality assurance. Home Instead Senior Care actively lobbies to keep senior care affordable and has the largest number of participants in the National Private Duty Association (NPDA). No other in-home, senior care company has earned the deep level of trust among clients, their family members and friends, and thousands of home health care, medical and social elder care organizations as Home Instead Senior Care.
Read more about why you should choose Home Instead Senior Care>

Who pays the CAREGiver, you or me?

Our CAREGivers are our employees. This means we handle all billing, payroll, taxes, insurance and administrative responsibilities for your CAREGiver.

 

Why should I use Home Instead Senior Care rather than someone out of the newspaper?

There are several reasons why Home Instead Senior Care should be your choice for elderly companionship and home care. All CAREGivers are screened, trained, bonded and insured, and you don't need to worry about figuring out taxes. Plus, our Home Instead Senior Care office’s large staff of quality employees ensures that the most compatible and reliable CAREGiver will be there for your family member or friend - even if your CAREGiver gets sick or moves away.
Read more about choosing Home Instead>

What are your rates and minimum hours of service?

Our offices offer locally competitive rates for homemaking, companion and personal care services.  Since rates and service hours vary and we will need to talk to you about the home care services you require for your loved one.  Please call us for a price quote. 
 

Is Home Instead Senior Care a maid service?

No, but CAREGivers can provide light housekeeping, laundry and ironing.  We will maintain the household.