Frequently Asked Questions
Home Instead of New Orleans believes families should have the knowledge needed to choose the best home care company for them. Below are interview questions to ask each home care company that can help you compare one company with another.
(Home Instead's own answers are below each question in purple.)
1. Is the company licensed to provide care under the of the State of Louisiana?
We are licensed under the State of Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals as a provider under the Home and Community – Based services.
2. Does the agency have 100% employer responsibility for the caregivers? Or does the client assume some, or all, of the employer responsibility/risk?
Home Instead employs all CAREGivers as W-2 employees. We maintain 100% of the employer responsibility for our CAREGivers, including: payroll, tax withholding, annual training competencies, bonding and licensing, and workers compensation insurance. Our Clients, and their families, carry zero employer responsibility or risk when receiving care through Home Instead.
3. Have all the CAREGivers been trained? By whom? What is the extent of their training? Does the training include Alzheimer's specific training?
Each of our CAREGivers completes a comprehensive, multi-phased training program before they ever meet or serve a client. They also participate in periodic ongoing training programs as we develop them. Your CAREGiver also may opt to take specialized training modules for advanced levels of caregiving, such as Alzheimer's care.
4. Have all the agency’s CAREGivers passed criminal background checks, drug screenings, and driving record checks?
Home Instead requires drug screening of all CAREGivers. We also conduct thorough background checks on all prospective CAREGivers. We will not send anyone into your home that we wouldn't invite into our own. It's that simple.
5. Are the CAREGivers bonded and insured?
Each person who enters your home is bonded to protect you against loss. And we insure all of our CAREGivers to protect against loss, too. We believe in taking care of the people who take care of your family.
6. Does the agency cover the caregiver with workers’ compensation coverage?
Yes. Home Instead carries Workers’ Compensation Insurance to protect each of our CAREGivers, in case of a work -related injury.
7. Can you check references on the agency?
Yes. Home Instead has online reviews from Clients and CAREGivers on our website, Google, and Caring.com. Additional client references available, upon request.
8. How much flexibility will you have in setting a schedule for services?
Flexibility is crucial to customize each Client’s care schedule. Home Instead can provide care depending on the needs of the client. Our minimum is two 4 hour shifts per week. However, depending on the need of the Client, they can adjust the care schedule, as care needs change, by coordinating schedule changes with our Care Coordination team, available 24/7.
9. How does the agency provide quality oversight of the care provided?
Home Instead of New Orleans has a team of Client Care Coordinators with varying specialties, including an LPN and RN that provide regular quality care visits. Their primary function is to monitor the quality of care and make recommendations to the care plan to adjust for changing client needs and to make sure we have the proper equipment and training in place to keep Clients and CAREGiver safe.
Our Client Care Coordinators conduct weekly and monthly quality assurance phone calls and home visits with the CAREGiver, Client, and client’s family. It is a relationship focused position, and Clients and CAREGivers both feel the extra attention and support because of this specialized role.
10. Are you a home health company?
No. Our specialty is providing highly personalized non-medical home care in a place that you call home.
11. Where do you provide care?
Any place that you call home, we follow the client. (Private homes, hospitals, assisted living, nursing homes, retirement communities and the list goes on!)
12. What are your payment options?
Most clients are private pay, but we accept long term care insurance or workers compensation benefits
13. Do you require a contract?
There is a service agreement outlining our services and terms. However, clients can discontinue at any time with reasonable notice.
14. When did your company originate?
The original Home Instead franchise opened in Omaha, Nebraska in 1994. The Metairie franchise serving Orleans & Jefferson parishes was opened in May of 2000.
15. How does one become a client?
Our Client Care Team conducts care consultations upon web or phone request, at no obligation, for us to meet with the family and client to assess the needs of the client and develop the Plan of Care.