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Home Instead Senior Care
Athens

Proudly serving seniors with extraordinary home care and elderly companionship since 1998 in the Athens area:  Barrow, Clarke, Elbert, Franklin, Greene, Hart, Jackson, Madison, Morgan, Oconee and Oglethorpe Counties of Northeast Georgia.

 

We serve clients 24 hours/day, 7 days/week including holidays.  Please call us at (706) 613-2224 for more information.

Call us today at (706) 613-2224
HomeInstead.com > 245 - Athens

Frequently Asked Questions

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What is the difference between home care and home healthcare?
Home care focuses much more on non-medical care such as personal care services or companionship services, whereas home healthcare focuses more on clinical care that is prescribed by a physician.
How is a home care agency different from a professional caregiver (private contractor)?
A professional caregiver (private contractor), similar to caregivers you might see listed in your local newspaper or on Craigslist, have not necessarily completed any formal caregiver training.  With most home care agencies, each of their caregivers generally undergo reference and background checks and are also trained, bonded, insured and professionally supervised.  Also, agencies will have flexible availability based on your varying needs.
What services does home care provide?
Home care providers generally provide services that fit into 2 categories:
 
1. Companionship Services
    * Companionship and conversation
    * Meal preparation
    * Light housekeeping
    * Errand Services
    * Medication reminders
    * Incidental transportation
    * Laundry and linen washing
    * Recreational activities and crafts
 
2. Personal Care Services
    * Bathing assistance
    * Dressing assistance
    * Mobility assistance
    * Transferring and positioning assistance
    * Incontinence care
    * Toileting assistance
    * Feeding assistance
    * Oral hygiene
    * Grooming assistance
 
Services may vary based on location and differing state licensing restrictions, so you'll need to contact your local Home Care provider to learn about what other services they offer.
What services does home healthcare provide?
Along with the personal care services offered by home care, home healthcare may also provide the following if compliant with state licensing regulations:
 
    * Coordination of home medical equipment
    * Distribution of prescribed medications
    * Wound care
    * IV Therapy
    * Disease and pain management
    * Physical, occupational and speech therapy
How can I pay for home care? Will my insurance cover it?
Many long-term care insurance companies will reimburse for home care services, but you will need to contact your insurance carrier for more details.  Medicare will only cover home healthcare services provided by a Medicare-certified provider.  However, you can find other alternatives for covering your long-term care by visiting the website www.seniorcarefunding.com or by downloading the "Financing Options For Home Care" document under the Tips & Resources Document Library tab in the Senior Care Resources Section of our website.
How do I recognize a quality home care or home healthcare company
Each state has its own requirements for doing business as a Home Care provider, so some states require a special license where others do not.  You can obtain licensing standards and quality review information from your state Department of Human Resources or Department of Health or Department of Social and Health Services.  Also, for any Medicare-certified home healthcare provider, they must undergo a quality review as part of the certification process and their review reports are accessible on the www.medicare.gov website.  You can also ask for references from each provider or ask hospital discharge planners or geriatric care managers for a referral as well.
What should I look for in a home care or home healthcare provider?
There are many things you need to consider when choosing a home care provider such as the training level of their staff, payment policies, and the types of care offered.  To give you a better idea of the kinds of questions you might want to ask a provider you are considering, we recommend you download the "Home Care Consumer Checklist", the "Important Questions Brochure" and the "Selecting A Home Care Agency" documents from our free materials under the Tips & Resources Document Library tab in the Elder Care Resources section of our website, which you can fill out when talking to each provider.
What makes Home Instead Senior Care different from other companies?
As the world's largest, most trusted home care company, Home Instead Senior Care 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). Because we were at the forefront of in-home care, we have a depth of experience that’s unsurpassed in the industry.  Home Instead Senior Care has earned a deep level of trust among clients, their family members and friends, and enjoys an outstanding reputation with thousands of home health care, medical and social elder care organizations around the world.
Why should I use Home Instead Senior Care rather than an individual with an ad in the newspaper?
There are several reasons why Home Instead Senior Care should be your choice for senior companionship and home care.
  • Our CAREGivers are screened, bonded and insured for your safety. 
  • They are trained specifically in elder care and have demonstrated a sincere desire to work with seniors.
  • With Home Instead Senior Care, we handle CAREGiver payment and withholding taxes as required by law.
  • If you hire an individual, he or she may get sick or move away and you’ll have to find someone new.  The Home Instead Senior Care network's large staff of quality employees ensures there will always be a compatible and reliable CAREGiver there for your family member.
How are CAREGivers selected?
First, the Home Instead Senior Care franchise network looks for people who have a passion for working with seniors to help them live independently. Then each potential CAREGiver must successfully complete a thorough personal and professional reference and criminal background check. Each CAREGiver is also bonded and insured.
How do you train your CAREGivers?
Home Instead CAREGivers participate in an exclusive senior care training program, which covers topics such as communicating with seniors, planning activities, recognizing illnesses, safety training and other issues and typical situations encountered in providing elder care.  CAREGivers also benefit from regular team meetings and on-going training opportunities to enhance their skills.
What happens if my CAREGiver gets sick?
Home Instead Senior Care employs a CAREGiver team approach, so if one CAREGiver is ill, we make every effort to make another team member available to meet your home care needs.
Do you provide senior services to those in nursing homes or assisted living facilities?
Yes, Home Instead CAREGivers provide eldercare and companionship to seniors who may require additional attention and/or personalized long term care and reside in assisted living facilities and nursing homes.
Who pays the CAREGiver, Home Instead Senior Care or me?
Your CAREGiver is employed by this local, independently owned and operated franchise, which means we handle all the billing, payroll, taxes, insurance and administrative responsibilities for your CAREGiver.
What are your rates and minimum hours of service?
Rates and service hours vary by office. Please contact us for specific rate information.
Is Home Instead Senior Care a cleaning company or maid service?
No, but CAREGivers can provide light housekeeping, laundry and ironing.