While most would prefer a family member or someone they know take care of them, this may not always be the best thing. While promises are made, commitments can be difficult to keep. If caregiving is absolutely necessary, many find that hiring outside assistance with a regular schedule is the most reliable solution. That way, family members can remain as family, and others can be counted on to do the work.
There are many choices in hiring help at home. Many will hire privately, that is, pay out-of-pocket for help on an “as-needed” basis. There are many different ways to find caregivers. Some senior centers maintain lists, there are other sources from discharge planners, physicians offices and hospice agencies. Remember, too, that if you hire privately, you work out the hours, rate of pay, etc….and, you’re also an employer and must abide by IRS rulings for tax purposes.
Here’s a brief rundown on the types of agencies in Alameda County.
HOME HEALTH AGENCIES
These agencies provides services that are 100% covered by Medicare and Medi-Cal. The service must be ordered by a physician. However, clients still have a personal choice of any agency. There are certain requirements for care, for one, you must be homebound and in need of skilled care. This would translate to a nurse or physical, occupational or speech therapy. This is also a time and visit limited service. Some aide service can be available, if there’s a skilled need. This is a service NOT covered by long term care insurance. Born To Age does not list the prices these agencies charge because the costs are directly reimbursed by Medicare. Client is not billed for services.
Pathways Home Health, Hospice and Private Duty
333 Hegenberger Road, Suite 700
Oakland, CA 94621
510-632-4390
800-900-0811
Pathways Home Health care provides intermittent, short-term skilled medical intervention focused on self care, rehabilitation and palliative relief of symptoms. Teaching patient and caregiver what they need to know for optimal health and management of care at home. Pathways Hospice provides specialized, compassionate care and support at the end of life, thoughtfully orchestrated by a team that works closely with the patient, family and doctor. Includes individual and group grief support for the family.
Professional HealthCare at Home
925 Ygnacio Valley Rd., Suite 101
Walnut Creek, CA 94596
925-891-7000
Professional HealthCare at Home is a full service home health care agency, offering both medical and non-medical home care to Bay Area families for over 20 years. Services range from skilled nursing and rehabilitative therapy to private duty personal care and household assistance. The company is CHAP accredited and Medicare-certified, and all employees are highly trained, screened, bonded, and insured for your peace of mind. Clinicians are licensed, Certified Nursing Assistants are required to pursue continued education units, and on-site supervision is provided. Professional case managers coordinate care with physicians and other healthcare providers. Services include nursing care, physical and occupational therapy, speech therapy, extended care, wound care, home health aides, medical social workers, and medication management.
Sutter VNA & Hospice
1651 Alvarado St.
San Leandro
510-618-5200
PRIVATE DUTY HOME CARE AGENCIES
These agencies can provide both skilled and non-skilled medical care. The services might be covered by long term care, or other insurances, and private pay. The agency is the employer. Caregivers are hired, screened and paid for by the agency. If the caregiver is ill or unable to work, a substitute caregiver is available. The agency pays payroll taxes, worker’s compensation and maintains liability coverage. The agency also determines what the caregiver can and can’t do. There is over a minimum number of hours for service.
Care provided by these agencies can include: skilled care, personal care, transportation/errands, meal preparation, medication reminders, light housekeeping, laundry, etc. Shifts can be hourly, live-in or sleepover.
Accentcare
1470 Enea Circle, Suite 1735
Concord, CA 94520
1-800-834-3059
www.accentcare.com
AccentCare is a non-medical home care company that provides professional, care to individuals while maintaining their independence and quality of life in their home and community settings. National leader in homecare and home health with 11 years of experience in the Sonoma and Marin counties. Caregivers assist with activities of daily living, medication reminders, light housekeeping and outdoor activities. Also assist the senior in getting into the community and transporting to medical appointments, grocery shopping
and social functions. Caregiver rates range from $21 to $26 an hour depending on the level of care needed. Live-in care ranges from $250 to $280 per day. A FREE in-home assessment is offered prior to beginning care and there is no contract or long term commitment. Caregivers go through a rigorous hiring process including a thorough interview, reference check and 7 year criminal background check. All caregivers receive a complete training and have a live 24/7 on-call team for any urgent needs.
Bright Star
Oakland/Walnut Creek/San Ramon
3746 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Suite 204
Lafayette, CA 94549
925.284.8888
BrightStar
Dublin/Pleasanton/Livermore
7080 Donlon Way, Suite 215
Dublin, CA
925.833.9770
BrightStar’s LifeCare services focus on improving the health and well being of those entrusted to our care. These services included both medical and non-medical care such as companionship, bathing and hygiene assistance, transportation, medication reminders, meal preparation and skilled nursing. All of the services provided are managed and overseen by a registered nurse who conducts a comprehensive initial assessment for all patients and monthly supervisory visits. Caregiver rates start at $23 and vary depending upon the level of care required. Livein care prices begin at $265 per day. Skilled nursing services start at $85 per visit. depending on time and complexity of the need. All BrightStar employees
undergo a criminal background check and drug screen as well as being bonded and insured. LifeCare services are available.
Eldercare Services
1808 Tice Valley Blvd.
Walnut Creek, CA 94595
925.937.2018
www.EldercareAnswers.com
Since 1989, at Eldercare Services, the goal has always been to provide quality of life, advocacy, care and education for all seniors and their families. Founder and Executive Director, Linda Fodrini-Johnson, MA, MFT, CMC, is the President of the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers. Geriatric Care Management is why most families choose services, even if the principle need is home care. Care managers have degrees in nursing, social work, counseling or a related field. Agency has the ability to coordinate every aspect of our client’s life, from medical to financial, based on needs. Hourly caregiving at $25-32 per hour, 24-hour live-in for $264-340 and 12-hour shifts for $249-280.
Home care services include companionship, transportation, personal care, light housekeeping and more. All caregivers are screened, background checked, bonded, insured and supervised by Professional Geriatric Care Managers. Stand-alone care management is available for those who need coaching, consultation, counseling and/or oversight and advocacy for a loved one. Special rates for couples and complimentary classes and workshops for the community. Call for a no cost, no obligation in-depth phone consultation.
Home Instead Senior Care
70 Washington St., #305
Oakland, CA 94607
510-663-3652
Pleasanton:
5776 Stoneridge Mall Road,
Suite 135
Pleasanton, CA 94588
925-225-0220
Fremont
39111 Paseo Padre Parkway
Suite 203
Fremont, CA 94538
510-505-0222
Home Instead Senior Care is a nonmedical home care agency providing companionship, personal care andhomemaker services for seniors. All caregivers are screened, bonded and
insured, receiving initial and on-going training. A Client Care Coordinator performs regular quality control visits to ensure services meet expectations. The cost of services ranges from $22.50 to $26.50 for hourly care, and $225.00 to $260.00 for 24 hour care. Free, no obligation initial client service assessment and home safety check.
LivHOME
1981 N. Broadway, Suite 235
Walnut Creek, CA 94596
866.371.1488
925.296.0406
This is the nation’s largest professionally led at-home senior care company. LivHome’s staff are credentialed experts in eldercare with specialities in social work, nursing and mental health. They oversee care, communicating with caregivers and family and, when necessary, medical and financial professionals. Services include a free initial assessment, hourly caregiving with rates between $25-28 an hour (four hour minimum). Live-in care is $260-289 a day. Sleepover $180 per night. Care management services also available, fee based on need.
Website:www.LivHome.com
Pathways Private Duty
585 North Mary Ave.
Sunnyvale, CA 94085
1.888.600.2273
East Bay 510.893.2273
South County 408.730.1500
San Francisco 415.222.6155
Peninsula 650.949.9650
Fax 408.730.1515
Pathways Private Duty is a communitybased, not-for-profit private dutyhome care agency. For over 33 years, we have provided client-focused care with the goal of keeping patients safe and comfortable despite limitations or illness. Pathways nurses provide assessments at admission and on a regular basis. We serve Santa Clara, San Mateo, and Alameda counties. Client care coordinators are available by telephone 24 hours a day. A customized care plan is created with family and individual. Caregivers are experienced and must meet high standards of care, in addition to a complete and rigorous background screening process. Caregivers are bonded and insured. All workers’ compensation and payroll taxes are covered. Caregivers are competency tested in English. They also receive ongoing special training to assist those with Alzheimer’s, dementia, Parkinson’s disease, chronic illnesses
and providing respite care for hospice families. Care giving rates start at $23.85 with a 4-hour minimum. Free, no obligation, initial in-home assessment and home safety checks available by a client services representative.
Professional HealthCare at Home
925 Ygnacio Valley Rd., Suite 101
Walnut Creek, CA 94596
925-891-7000
1836 Tice Valley Blvd.
Walnut Creek, CA 94595
925-934-4800
Non-medical home aides and personal care assistants provide help with activities of daily living such as dressing, walking, bathing, transportation and companionship. Care is available on both an hourly and 24 hour live-in basis. Care providers are on call 24 hours a day, with non-medical care rates starting at $23/hour (4-hour minimum) and $230
per day for live-in care.
Rescare Home Care Services
3730 Mt. Diablo Blvd, Ste 320
Lafayette, CA 94599
925.283.5076
ResCare’s mission is to encourage older adults to live full and active lives. Everyday ResCare provides a broad range of non-medical, supportive services ranging from meal preparation and light housekeeping to taking a client to doctor appointments and assisting with medication reminders, bathing and dressing. Our care companions accompany their clients to movies and the library, and help them with physical therapy exercises. The Geriatric Care Managers and other members of ResCare’s staff also work with the care companions to expand the levels of compassion they bring to their clients. Rates $25-28.50 for caregivers,. $250 per 12-hour shift. Sleepover $275.
Right At Home
In Home Care and Assistance
3137 Castro Valley Blvd.,
Suite 201
Castro Valley, CA 94546
510-690-9612
Right at Home is a national organization that promotes independence, security and joy through the provision of in-home care and assistance to seniors and disabled adults. RAH caregivers are screened, trained, bonded and insured caregivers who provide services from a few hours per week to around the clock base on individual needs. Our hourly rates range from $21-$25 and live-in rates from $220-$275 depending on client’s care needs. Free no obligation assessments conducted. RAH differentiates itself by providing personal touches
that makes our clients definitely feel “Right at Home”.
HOME CARE REFERRAL AGENCIES
These agencies provide nonmedical caregivers/companions to help with personal care, transportation, meals, baths, light housekeeping, etc. They provide many of the same services as private duty home care agencies, however, the caregiver’s are not employees of the agency. The agency finds and screens the caregiver. The client has the option of interviewing or letting the agency match the appropriate caregiver. The agency assists in negotiating the rate between the client and caregiver, including agency fee. Caregiver earnings are reported to the IRS. Substitute caregivers are available.
AmeriCare
510.885.1319
www.americareinfo.com
AmeriCare is a non-medical home care referral agency that provides care to families in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. Locally owned, operated and part of a national franchise. All caregivers are compassionate, professional, reliable, and dedicated. Caregivers are carefully chosen for trustworthiness and integrity. Caregivers must have at least two years experience. Criminal, Social Security and background checks on all caregivers. References are checked and validated. Rates start at $19 per hour and 24-hour shifts start at $240. All services are private pay or can be covered by long term care insurance. No hourly minimums and transportation (using the caregiver’s car) is 65 cents per mile. There is no additional cost if we use the client’s car. References from AmeriCare clients are available.
Tender Heart Home Care Agency
1320 El Capitan Dr.,
Suite 330
Danville, CA 94526
925-838-4444
www.atenderheart.com
Tender Heart is a locally owned, family run, non-medical home care referral agency covering Alameda and Contra Costa counties. Usual rates are $18-24 per hour, with rates under $20 for over 4 hours, and live-ins range from $200-240 per day. There are no minimum number of hours. Tender Heart provides help and assistance with all activities of daily living and works with various Long Term Insurance groups. All caregivers carry individual liability and malpractice insurance and a criminal bond.
Tender Heart screens all caregivers, verifies social security, does a complete background and criminal check and all caregivers must come with a minimum of 2-3 years experience in
caregiving. Work related references are checked and verified. The most important credential is that our caregivers have a loving and giving heart. An initial in-home screening is done at no charge in the clients home to match the right caregiver to the client’s needs. Staff are on call 24/7. Caregivers can provide transportation with their own vehicle at $.75/mile. There is no extra charge for using the client’s vehicle. Caregivers will also provide reminders for medication schedules as well as providing companionship and security in order to help the client maintain their independence. Tender Heart is A+ rated by the Better Business Bureau and a Member in good standing of National Home Care and Hospice Organization.