Home Care Questions & Answers

Medicare Part A: Covers skilled nursing care at home only if you're homebound and need skilled medical services
Does NOT cover: Companion care, personal care, or long-term custodial care
Must be ordered by a doctor and provided by Medicare-certified agencies
Temporary coverage only - typically 2-8 weeks for post-hospital recovery

Most families pay privately or use long-term care insurance for ongoing home care needs.

What insurance options pay for home care?

Several insurance options may help cover home care costs:

Long-Term Care Insurance: Best option for comprehensive home care coverage
Veterans Benefits: Aid & Attendance benefit can provide $2,000+ monthly
Medicaid Waivers: Limited availability, income restrictions apply
Private Health Insurance: Rarely covers custodial care, check your policy
Life Insurance: Some policies allow early benefits for long-term care

We provide free insurance verification and help maximize available benefits.

Is home care cheaper than a nursing home?

Home care is often more cost-effective, especially for moderate care needs:

Home Care (Atlanta avg.):

• 8 hrs/day: $280-360/day
• 12 hrs/day: $420-540/day
• Live-in: $200-350/day
• Stay in your own home
• One-on-one attention

Nursing Home (Atlanta avg.):

• Private room: $300-500/day
• Semi-private: $250-400/day
• Shared staff attention
• Institutional environment
• Less personal freedom

Can I afford home care on a fixed income?

Many seniors on fixed incomes successfully manage home care costs through creative planning:

Start small: Begin with 4-6 hours of companion care 2-3 times per week
Family cost-sharing: Adult children often contribute to keep parents at home
Veterans benefits: Can provide significant monthly assistance
Home equity: Reverse mortgages or home equity loans can fund care
Flexible scheduling: Use care only when most needed to control costs
Compare total costs: Home care vs. assisted living vs. nursing home

We work with families to create sustainable care plans that fit your budget.

Getting Started Questions

Common questions about beginning home care services

How quickly can home care start?

Elite Care Companion can typically start care within 24-48 hours:

Emergency situations: Same-day start possible (hospital discharge, family emergency)
Standard requests: 24-48 hours after initial consultation
Complex needs: 2-3 days to find specialized caregivers
Live-in care: 3-5 days for proper matching and preparation

We maintain a pool of available caregivers specifically for urgent placements.

What happens during the first consultation?

Our comprehensive assessment includes:

Home safety evaluation: Identifying fall risks and accessibility needs
Care needs assessment: Personal care, mobility, medical, and social needs
Family discussion: Goals, preferences, concerns, and expectations
Caregiver matching: Finding caregivers with compatible personalities and skills
Schedule planning: Determining optimal care hours and days
Cost planning: Insurance verification and payment options

The consultation typically takes 60-90 minutes and is always free with no obligation.

Do I need a doctor's order for home care?

No doctor's order required for private-pay home care:

Private-pay services: No medical prescription needed
Medicare/insurance coverage: Requires physician order and medical necessity
We coordinate with doctors: Keep physicians informed of care plans
Medical input welcome: Doctor recommendations help us provide better care

You have the right to hire home care whenever you feel it would be beneficial.

What if my loved one refuses home care?

Resistance to home care is common. Our proven strategies include:

Start as "companionship": Frame as social visits rather than "care"
Gradual introduction: Begin with short visits 2-3 times per week
Activity-focused approach: Caregiver helps with enjoyable activities first
Family member introduction: Have trusted family member present during first meeting
Trial period: "Just try it for a week to help me worry less"
Caregiver personality matching: Find someone they genuinely like

Most resistance disappears once seniors experience the benefits of companionship and help.

Safety & Trust Questions

Ensuring caregiver quality and home security

How do you screen caregivers?

Elite Care Companion uses comprehensive 7-step screening:

Criminal background check: National and state-level searches
Professional references: Previous employers and clients contacted
Personal references: Character references from non-family sources
Social Security verification: Identity and work authorization confirmed
Driving record check: For caregivers providing transportation
Skills assessment: Practical caregiving skills testing
In-person interview: Personality, communication, and professionalism evaluation

Only 1 in 20 applicants pass our complete screening process.

Are caregivers bonded and insured?

Yes, all Elite Care Companion caregivers are fully protected:

General Liability Insurance: $1,000,000 coverage for accidents and injuries
Professional Liability: Coverage for professional mistakes or negligence
Surety Bond: Financial protection against theft or dishonesty
Workers' Compensation: Coverage if caregiver injured in your home
Vehicle Insurance: For caregivers providing transportation

You receive certificates of insurance before care begins for your peace of mind.

What if I don't like the caregiver?

We guarantee caregiver compatibility:

No-question replacement: We'll find a new caregiver immediately
Multiple options: Usually have 2-3 backup caregivers available
Meet & greet: Interview potential caregivers before making decisions
Trial periods: Start with short visits to test compatibility
Feedback welcome: Continuous improvement based on your input
No extra fees: Caregiver changes don't cost additional money

Your comfort and trust are essential - we work until you're completely satisfied.

How do I protect my valuables and personal information?

Smart precautions help maintain security:

Secure valuables: Lock away jewelry, cash, and important documents
Limit access: Provide keys/codes only as needed for care duties
Monitor accounts: Check bank and credit card statements regularly
Personal information: Limit caregiver access to Social Security numbers and financial data
Communication: Establish clear boundaries about privacy and personal space
Family involvement: Keep family members informed about caregivers and routines

Reputable caregivers respect boundaries and often suggest these precautions themselves.

Home Care Services Questions

Understanding what home care includes and doesn't include

What's the difference between companion care and personal care?

Companion Care Includes:

Social interaction and conversation
Light housekeeping and meal prep
Transportation to appointments
Medication reminders (not administration)
Recreational activities and outings
Shopping and errands

Personal Care Adds:

Bathing and shower assistance
Dressing and grooming help
Toileting and incontinence care
Medication administration
Mobility and transfer assistance
Basic medical care tasks

Most families start with companion care and add personal care services as needs increase.

Can caregivers provide medical care?

Caregivers can provide basic medical support, but not skilled nursing:

Allowed: Medication reminders and administration, wound care, diabetic care, vitals monitoring
Allowed: Physical therapy exercise assistance, post-surgery recovery support
Not allowed: IV medications, injections (except insulin), complex wound care
Coordination: We work with nurses, doctors, and therapists as needed
Training: Our caregivers receive specific medical task training when required

For complex medical needs, we coordinate with licensed nurses and medical professionals.

Do you provide 24-hour care?

Yes, we offer comprehensive 24-hour care options:

Live-in care: One caregiver stays in your home 24/7 with time off for breaks
Shift care: Multiple caregivers work 8-12 hour shifts for continuous coverage
Emergency coverage: Same-day placement for hospital discharge or family emergencies
Respite options: Temporary 24-hour care to give family caregivers breaks
Flexible scheduling: Increase or decrease hours as needs change

24-hour care is essential for advanced dementia, post-surgery recovery, and high fall-risk situations.

What areas in Atlanta do you serve?

Elite Care Companion serves throughout Atlanta metro area:

Primary Service Areas:

Extended Coverage:

Roswell & Johns Creek
Vinings & Smyrna
Decatur & Avondale Estates
Dunwoody & Chamblee
Atlanta & surrounding areas

We may serve additional areas depending on specific needs - call to confirm availability.

Family Concerns & Communication

Managing family dynamics and care coordination

How do you keep family members informed?

We provide comprehensive family communication:

Daily reports: Written summaries of care activities, meals, medications, and observations
Regular phone updates: Weekly or as-needed calls with family members
Emergency notifications: Immediate contact for any safety or health concerns
Care plan meetings: Family conferences to adjust care as needs change
Multiple contact options: Email, phone, text - whatever works best for your family
HIPAA compliance: Secure communication protecting privacy while keeping family informed

Many adult children say our communication helps them worry less about their parents.

What if family members disagree about care needs?

Family disagreements about care are common. We help by:

Objective assessment: Professional evaluation helps clarify actual needs
Family meetings: Neutral facilitation of care planning discussions
Gradual introduction: Start with minimal care to demonstrate benefits
Education: Explaining safety risks and care options to all family members
Flexible plans: Trial periods allow families to adjust approaches
Documentation: Clear records help track changes and needs

Often, seeing positive results from care helps resolve family disagreements.

How do you handle long-distance family members?

Special support for families living far from Atlanta:

Video calls: Include distant family in care meetings via video conference
Detailed reporting: Extra communication for family members who can't visit regularly
Emergency protocols: Clear procedures for contacting distant family in emergencies
Photo updates: Pictures of activities, meals, and general wellbeing
Flexible scheduling: Adjust care during family visits
Professional coordination: We can interface with out-of-state family and professionals

We understand the stress of caring for parents from a distance and provide extra support.

What about privacy and family secrets?

We maintain strict confidentiality while ensuring safety:

Professional discretion: Caregivers trained in confidentiality and boundaries
Limited sharing: Information shared only with authorized family members
Safety priority: We must report safety concerns but handle sensitively
Family preferences: Respect wishes about what information to share and with whom
Privacy training: All staff understand HIPAA and privacy requirements
Trust building: Caregivers develop appropriate professional relationships

Clients often share personal information with trusted caregivers - we handle this with utmost respect.