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.
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.
Odyssey Health Care Inc.
22320 Foothill Blvd.
Hayward, CA
510-582-8434
877-298-3588
Pathways Home Health, Hospice and Private Duty
333 Hegenerger Road, Suite 700
Oakland, CA 94085
510-632-4390
800-900-0811
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.
Bright Star
Oakland/Walnut Creek/San Ramon
3746 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Suite 204
Lafayette, CA 94549
925.284.8888
BrightStar
Antioch/Brentwood/Stockton
5070 Lone Tree Way
Antioch, CA
925.779.9000
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 range from $22 to $25 and vary depending upon the level of care required. Live-in care prices begin at $265 per day. Skilled nursing services range from $35 to $60 per hour depending on time and complexity of the need. All Bright-
Star employees undergo a criminal background check and drug screen as well as being bonded and insured. LifeCare services are available when you need them! We are here to provide greater independence and to make more possible in the lives of individuals and families we care for.
Comfort Homesake
1440 Broadway St., Suite 713
Oakland, CA
510-839-6120, opt. 3
510-978-8510
Living with a loved one with a long term illness or imminent death? Comfort Homesake is focused on providing support for you. The Comfort Homesake team of nurses, social workers, therapist, and spiritual care providers are committed to providing linguistic and culturally sensitive service. Services inform and ease pain, fear, isolation and dependence. Services are open to negotiation and/ or bartered. Rates start at:
24/7 In-home Direct Patient Care $19- 21 per hr.
Hospice Caregiver In-home Respite
$19-21 per hr.
Hospice Training for Families and Organizations $300 custom training. FREE downloadable resources for caregivers at www.comforthomesake.com
Confidence Home Care, Inc.
Marina Bay at
Richmond, CA 94804
Phone: 510 235 0198
Fax: 510 439 2786
info@confidencecare.com
Confidence Home Care provides non-medical home care services in Contra Costa County and Marin Counties. Rates start at $21 per hour. All caregivers are criminal background, credit and work history checked. Companionship, personal care, and homemaker and light housekeeping services.
Home Helpers
231 Market Place, Ste 211
San Ramon, CA 94583
925.236.2477
1-877-99-HELPER
Home Helpers is a private duty home care agency serving Alameda and Contra Costa counties. Rated #1 by Entrepreneur Magazines in 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009. Personal senior care services are tailored to meet the needs of client. Service selection and flexible scheduling enable custom care plans for each client that can be adjusted as functional needs change. Each caregiver is thoroughly screened, trained, insured and bonded. Clients select services as needed: Companionship, Personal
Care, Transportation and General Assistance – everyday living activities such as housekeeping, laundry, preparing meals, sorting through the mail or organizing personal affairs. Clients with at least 30hrs/week will receive FREE Direct Link in-home emergency monitoring service, help is just a button push away. No binding contracts, only a Client Service Agreement – client can start/cancel service anytime. 24 hour client phone support. Rates range from $18 – $23/ hr, with a four-hour minimum. Live-in
is $180 – $240/day.
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 and homemaker 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.
Interim Healthcare
1717 North California Blvd, 3A
Walnut Creek, CA 94596
925-944-5779
www.interimhealthcare.com
Interim is a private duty home care agency with a Homelife Enrichment Program designed to address a senior’s entire quality of life, including body, mind, spirit and family. Services include, but are not limited to, transportation, light housekeeping, meal preparation, companionship, medication reminders, and personal care assistance. Rates are $25 an hour, with a four-hour minimum. Sleep over (10 hours) is $195. Live-in is $268. Free in-home consultation.
Jamsee Home Care Services
3900 Newpark Mall Rd.
Newark, CA 94560
510-505-9530
408-998-0538
Jamsee Home Care Services is a private duty home care agency provides non-medical care. Provides short term, long term and respite care. The services include assisting with activities of daily living, personal care, medication reminders, meal preparations, light housekeeping, transportation/ errands. Care is available from 4 to 24 hours a day and our usual rates range from $19 to $22 for hourly and $190 to $220 a day for live-in care. All Caregivers are experienced, screened, bonded and insured. FREE assessment to all prospective clients and also offer after hour and weekend assessment on appointment basis. Office support is available on-call 24 hours a day.”
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 community-based, 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
This is a private duty home care and care management agency providing assistance with all activities of daily living. Also will provide assistance with placement for seniors into community living facilities, care for pets of clients, assist with burial or cremation services, or prepare for traditional Jewish burials. Rates: $28.50 per hour, 3-hour minimum. Day rates rate is $275 (this is also charged for ten or more hours). Transportation provided at 50.5 cents a mile, when using a Care Companion’s vehicle. Care Companions are paid a higher wage than average for the Bay Area, including benefits. Companion Care/Rescare supports many community-based services geared for improving the lives of seniors.
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 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. There are two types of referral agencies:
A Better Living Home Care
2280 Diamond Blvd. Suite 580
Concord, CA 94520
925-680-0300
A Better Living Home Care is a locally owned and operated referral agency serving Contra Costa and Alameda Counties. Rated A+ from the Better Business Bureau and over 10 years of experience in home care. All caregivers must have at least two years of experience working with the elderly, must show proof of legal status to work in the US, pass a rigorous criminal and DMV background check and have a minimum of two professional references. They must all have a current California Driver’s license and a registered and insured automobile. Services provided by caregivers include; bathing, dressing, meal preparation, light housekeeping, transportation to appointments, companionship and assistance with medications. Caregiver’s one-on-one care is ideal for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease, post-stroke, post-surgery, Parkinson’s disease, ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease), and Hospice Care. There are no long-term binding contract. Free initial consultation visit by Registered Nurse. Hourly rates range from $185-20/hr. Live-in rates range from $185 – $200/day. There are no extra charges for evening or weekends. Available 24 hours a day/7 days a week.
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 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. All caregivers carry individual liability and malpractice insurance and a criminal bond. 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 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 to match the right caregiver to the client’s needs. Staff are on call 24/7.
