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Q: What are some of the services that can be provided?
Services can include shopping, errands, preparing meals, light housekeeping, medication reminders, transportation to appointments, meal preparation, laundry service, assistance with ambulating, as well as personal care, bathing, dressing, incontinence care, maintaining home safety, and companionship. Services can be provided in your home, assisted living facilities, nursing homes, hospitals, and respite care facilities.
Q: Do the caregivers have any specialized training?
Employee orientation is required by most companies, however ask if the company has a detailed policy and procedure manual for all employees to follow. Additionally, ongoing training should be provided, in-service company training, annual training in First Aid and CPR (initial and re-certification). Many companies offer specialized in-service training on caring for clients with strokes, Alzheimer's, and dementia.
Q: Are the caregivers supervised and if so, how?
A Teamleader or someone who oversees the initiation of care for a new client should supervise the caregiver. Every six to eight weeks a client satisfaction review should be performed. The Team Leader/Supervisor should then work with you to accommodate any changes desired in the service schedule or care that may be needed.
Q: Does the company have a certified social (C.S.W.) worker on staff?
It is a plus for you if the company has a certified social worker on staff because social workers are very helpful in coordinating a discharge from a hospital or rehab facility as well as finding the appropriate follow-up care. They have a wealth of information on the educational resources available in your community.
Q: Does the company have a Licensed Practical Nurse or Registered Nurse on staff?
Most reputable companies would have a licensed nurse on staff to assure that proper guiding principles are being followed in the best interest of the client.
Q: Does the company have staff on-call for emergencies?
A dependable company will have someone on-call when the office is not open on evenings, weekends, and holidays.
Q: What is the screening process?
Each employee should be meticulously screened for the following: personal ethics, educational background, business and personal background, past employment history, special training and certification verification, state criminal history clearance, state driving background checks, automobile proof of insurance, social security identification, proof of citizenship and test negative for tuberculosis (TB).
Q: Do the caregivers carry an Arizona Department of Public Safety Clearance Card?
Clearance Cards are issued to individuals by the state after the applicant has completed and submitted a criminal affidavit, fingerprints (taken by a certified finger printer), and has passed an extensive federal and state background check by the Arizona Department of Public Safety. Reference: (Arizona Law 2001, Chapter 350: standardized background checks for employees who receive fingerprint clearance cards are required for people working with vulnerable adult populations).
Q: Does the company withhold federal, state and Social Security taxes for all caregivers?
Companies who contract work to independent caregivers are not required to withhold federal, state and Social Security (FICA) taxes. Unfortunately, the client, company or independent contractor may be jeopardizing federal and state "IRS Common-Law Rules." Companies who hire caregivers as employees do withhold federal and state taxes and even contribute to the employees Medicare and Social Security.
Q: Are the company caregivers covered by state worker's compensation?
Again, companies who contract work to independent caregivers do not have to pay into a state worker's compensation fund. Then who does? If a caregiver were injured on the job, whose insurance would cover the medical expenses? Would the client or their estate be liable to pay for a caregiver's injury? Companies who hire caregivers as employees are protecting the client and the caregiver by paying into the employee's workman compensation fund.
Q: Is the company and caregiver fully bonded and insured under the corporate liability policy?
Your loved one's safety and security is first. It is in your best interest to choose an individual, company and employees that are bonded and insured under a corporate liability policy. It is your right to ask for a copy of their Declaration of Insurance. Any reputable company would be happy to show you a copy.
I get asked many questions about senior care and how to choose quality in-home care and so I hope I can answer some of those questions here. If you have more specific questions, please give us a call at 623-977-2223 to speak with our healthcare specialists.
- Karen Wellert, President & CEO
