I know you have many options when choosing home care. Home Instead constantly works to raise the bar - to be better than the rest and to be better today than we were yesterday.
I'd like to share a few of the ways we separate ourselves from the many others who offer similar care.
- Home Instead is the world's largest provider of non-medical, in home care for seniors, (non-medical meaning we cannot give injections and cannot perform wound care). Founded over 17 years ago, there are now over 800 offices worldwide. Our Plumsteadville office has been serving the seniors of Upper and Central Bucks County for more than 7 years.
- We are licensed in the State of Pennsylvania. Home Instead was instrumental in lobbying Harrisburg to create licensure and its requirements. Until December, 2009, there were none in place. We were first to receive our license as we far exceed the requirements mandated by the State. We insist on a clean TB test, clean drug screening at time of employment (as well as random testing during employment), clean criminal background check and we check a minimum of 6 references both personal and professional.
- We hire only local people - those residing within a 20 mile radius of our office in Plumsteaville. This is important for several reasons. We feel an obligation to provide jobs for our neighbors. But more importantly, it provides a sense of safety and security for seniors and their families to know that care is being provided by their neighbors.
- The above criteria results in our hiring only 11% of those who apply to us for employment. After we're confident we have the very best, we put them through our 4 part training program, the best in the industry.
- We consider ourselves relationship-based as opposed to task-based. Just about anyone can make lunch! But it's a relationship that has a CAREGiver prepare a client's favorite lunch, sitingt and chatingt and encouraging them to eat when they might not be hungry. The difference between task and relationship can be compared to the difference between nutrition and nourishment!
- Our CAREGivers are paid a fair wage and as a result we have an excellent retention rate in an industry that doesn't! We reward for exemplary service, and quite frankly, will settle for nothing less. Our CAREGivers are insured and bonded.
- We are part of the community. In addition to having a presence at all community events, we feel an obligation to give back! We've had the pleasure of presenting a $10,000 check to the Twilight Wish Foundation to help them continue their work and were instrumental in helping the Upper Bucks Senior Center remain open with a $23,000 grant. We are your neighbors and we want you to know us before you need us.
- We realize the importance of compatibility and to that end, devote time and attention to insuring that CAREGivers are matched to clients with similar interests, backgrounds and experiences. If, for whatever reason you are unhappy with the CAREGiver(s) we've selected, we replace them - no questions asked.
- Consistency and continuity are also important. Our clients will not have a different CAREGiver each visit. We will create a team, the number of which is dependent on the number of hours involved, so that our clients and their families do not need to have to continually meet and get to know new people.
- Under no circumstances will a job go uncovered! We have contingency plans for weather, illness, transportation, etc. and can proudly boast that we have never missed a job in spite of recent dramatic weather and the worst back to back winters in Bucks County history.
- Our phones are answered 24/7 365 days a year. The six of us in the office take turns taking the phones home at night and weekends. The on-call person has all relevant information at her/his fingertips and can offer assistance day or night. You will never get a voicemail or be told to call back on Monday! Uncompromised service is our aim and focus.
As the Director of Community Relations, I often tell people that Home Instead isn't the best because I work here, but I do work here because we're the best! I understand you have many options and that your standards and expectations are even greater than our own. I look forward to the opportunity to meet and exceed them! Please call me for a no-cost, no obligation meeting to discuss your specific needs.
Sincerely,
Pamela Eelman
Certified Senior Advisor
Director of Community Relations
215-766-1617
