1. Q: Can I  meet the caregiver before I sign a contract with your agency?

 

      A: Absolutely.  You are most welcome to meet and interview the caregiver. It is your right as a        

          client to choose your care provider.

 

 

 2.  Q: Who do I send my payment to?

 

      A:  Our clients are sent an invoice and payments should be made out to Caring Hearts Health Care

           (or Caring Hearts HC).

 

           All of our caregivers are our employees and the agency is responsible for payroll.

 

 

 3.  Q:  Are your services available for the elderly in a nursing home or an assisted living facility?

 

      A:  Caring Hearts HC provides service where the Client resides.

 

 

 4.  Q:  How do I know the scope of work that the caregiver will provide?

 

      A:  Upon the initial assessment, the Case Manager will outline a plan of care specifically tailored to the

            needs of your loved one.

 

            Each client will be provided an In-Home Care Guideline Booklet that serves as your reference in    

            order to receive the most benefit from your caregiving service.

 

 

 5.  Q:  Do you have any resource information on stroke?

 

      A:  Yes.  Your Case Manager can provide you with information on many health conditions that our

           elderly, in most cases, are inclined or are more at risk to. 

 

 

 6.  Q:   What does it mean to have 24 hr. care or live-in arrangement?

 

      A:   The big benefit of having a caregiver on a 24 hr. live-in arrangement is that you will have someone

             in your home in case of an emergency in most "off" hours and the entire night.  This is a practical

             arrangement for fall risk clients and clients with memory-related issues.

 

            24 hr. live-in arrangement does not mean that the caregiver works 24 hrs./7 days.  We expect

            them to work an average of 8-12 hrs. a day like everyone else.  Our caregiver has to be given

            8 hrs. of uninterrupted sleep and an opportunity for personal time for meals and down time at the

            end of the day.

 

 

 7.  Q:   My mom doesn't sleep through the night.  What kind of arrangement do you suggest?

 

      A:    If the care of your mom is regularly more than 12 hrs. in a 24 hr. period, then a live-in   

             arrangement might not be the right one for your mom's situation.  Our case manager can

             discuss further this topic with you to ensure that the quality of care will not be compromised.

 

 

 8.  Q:  My mother passed away a few months ago and my Dad has some medical issues and lives alone. 

            How can I get my Dad to accept outside help?

 

      A:  The person who needs help may see the outside care service as an invasion of privacy,

           as a compromise to his independence and a waste of money.  The natural tendency of most people

           is to resist having strangers come into their home.

 

           Here are a few suggestions that may help to making the transition easier.  Talk to

           your Dad about his concerns and then try to offer the suggestion of an outside care service

           in a way that will allow him to make a decision.  You can explain to him that knowing that someone            else is with your Dad when you are not there, allows you not to worry.  You can also reassure him  

           that you are not abandoning him.  

   

           The initial set-up can be arranged that a caregiver come only a few hours each day, a few days a

           week.  Then as your Dad gets more comfortable and familiar with the caregiver, you and your

           Dad can decide to add more hours as you deem necessary.

 

 9.  Q:  What are the risks associated with the use of registries or independent contractor agencies?

 

      A:  There are many unexpected or hidden issues that consumers face when dealing with companies

            that place workers who these companies do not employ.  One major issue is that in a caregiving

            arrangement, there IS an employer-employee relationship that is created in most if not all    

            situations.  Because of this, both the worker and consumer can suffer significant financial

            liabilities and abuses i.e. unpaid payroll taxes, worker-related injuries, exploitation and abuse

            of the frail and functionally limited, often cognitively impaired elderly, etc.

 

            Caring Hearts HC will be most happy to provide you with more information regarding this

             issue.

 

 

10.  Q:  What are the implications, with regards to IRS rules and regulations, of hiring a private            

             caregiver?  or the risks of hiring an independent contractor through an agency?

 

       A:   If you hire a professional caregiver on your own, you will be entirely responsible for paying certain

             types of taxes that may be new to you, as well as having to know which taxes your new

             employee should be paying as well.  Although you have hired a professional caregiver, who is

             much more than just a "domestic housekeeper", the IRS will recognize you as the employer

             of a domestic.

             As far as hiring an independent contractor through an agency, although you are not responsible

             for their taxes, this type of arrangement carries risks as well.  Independent contractors through

             some caregiving agencies are not covered by worker's compensation, liability insurance and

             dishonesty bond.  In other words, if there is any type of injury, theft or abuse, you may be  

             responsible in making payments on their behalf and/ or in a case of theft or abuse, you might not

             have any recourse when a legal action has to be taken against the caregiver.

             Please check with your accountant regarding taxes and also check your homeowner's policy

             for coverage as most policies will not cover people that you employ, even if they are independent

             contractors through an agency.         

                         

             It may well be that it will be easy to find ways to get a caregiver, but please consider

             how things will change for you financially, as well as legally.

 

             Remember not all caregiving agencies operate and run their business the same way.

 

             All Caregivers of Caring Hearts Health Care are our employees. All payroll and payroll-related

             issues are handled by the agency.  Our Agency carries both general and professional liability

             insurance against physical and sexual abuse, as well as a bond against theft.

             We provide worker's compensation and disability coverage to all of our employees.  This is

             mandated under state law for a worker against injury and/or death occurring in the course of

             their present employment.

   

             We do all these for you, for your additional peace of mind.

 

11.   Q:  Can you help us find a good senior home or facility for our parents?

 

        A:  Yes, we can recommend to you very good places where you can take your parents to

             stay in.  As part of marketing, we very often visit these places and we can share with you

             information that can guide you to make a good decision for you and your loved ones.

 

12.   Q:  Is it true that caregiving rates will change in 2014?

        A:  Starting January 2014, caregivers will be granted overtime protections under AB241.  AB241,

              the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights, was signed into law by CA Governor Jerry Brown which

              guarantees domestic workers working in private homes to get overtime pay for the overtime

              they work (9 hrs/day or 45hrs/week).  Kindly contact us for more information.

 

13.   Q:  Can I talk to someone after office hours?

 

        A:  Our business is open 24/7.  Our office is open from 7 a.m. - 8 p.m. Monday thru Saturday.

              If you happen to find a need to talk to someone outside of our normal office hours,

              kindly leave a message and your Case Manager will get back to you within 30 minutes or less.

 

 

Get educated, stay informed, and make decisions that are not only best for your loved

one, but will be best for you, too.

 

God bless you and your family.