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 CARE 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.
Accentcare
1470 Enea Circle, Suite 1735
Concord, CA 94520
1-800-834-3059
www.accentcare.com
Center for Elders Independence
7200 Bancroft, Suite 188
Oakland, CA 94605
510-433-1150
1955 San Pablo
Oakland, CA 94612
510-433-1150
1487 Alcatraz
Berkeley, CA 94702
510-433-1150
Lifeguard Home Health
5976 W. Las Positas Blvd., Suite 106
Pleasanton, CA 94588
888-221-2321
www.lifeguardhomehealth.com
Nightingale Nursing
101 Callan Ave., #405
San Leandro, CA 94577
510-357-4222
925-685-5577
www.nightingalenursing.com
On Lok Lifeways
159 Washington Blvd.
Fremont, CA 94539
510-249-2700
Professional Healthcare at Home
925 Ygnacio Valley Rd., Suite 101
Walnut Creek, CA 94596
800-654-5677
1836 Tice Valley Blvd.
Walnut Creek, CA 94595
925-934-4800
Professional Home Care Associates
2296 Country Dr. #2296
Fremont, CA
510-797-9299
1111-D Stanley Blvd., Suite 112
Livermore, CA
925-243-1385
Sutter Care at Home
1651 Alvarado Street
San Leandro, CA 94577
510-628-5200
www.suttervna.org
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 in home and community settings. National leader in homecare and home health. 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.
Acclaim Professional Healthcare
4340 Redwood Hwy, Suite A14
San Rafael, CA 94903
510-633-4958
888-499-7372
A Subsidiary of Acclaim Homecare, Inc. www.acclaimhomecare.com Acclaim Professional Healthcare provides employee based private duty services which include assistance with all activities of daily living, medication reminders, meal planning and preparation, light housekeeping and laundry, companion care as well as respite care, transportation to medical appointments and therapies. Additionally provides medication programs and individualized care plans.Caregivers are monitored by experienced geriatric care manager. Acclaim Professional Healthcare has hourly, live-in and sleepover services Rates are dependent on services required. Minimum of 2 hours@ $55.00. Hourly starts at 24.00 to 26.00 per hour. Live in rates start at $265.00.Overnites start at $175.00. Assessments are provided prior to start of cares. No agency fees, no charge for the initial consultation. 24 hour paging service to respond to critical situations.
AmeriCare Home Care
5080 Seaview Avenue
Castro Valley, CA 94546
510-885-1319
www.americareca.com
AmeriCare provides non-medical home care to clients in both Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. Offers companionship, homemaker and personal care services . Specialize in finding caregivers who enjoy what they do, and recognize the impact they have in their client’s lives. Clients and family members are encouraged to interview a couple of caregivers prior to starting service. The caregivers are consistent, to help develop and establish a relationship between the client/caregiver. All of the services provided are managed and overseen by management staff with frequent on-site visits. A staff member is on-call 24 hours a day 7 days a week. All employees go through a detailed hiring process including a thorough interview, verified professional references, social security and criminal and driving record check. Require at least two years of experience in home care , if personal care is required. Rates range from $21-$25 per hour; 24 hour live-in care ranges from $230-$260. F ree no-obligation client service assessment.
Beacon Home Care
828 San Pablo Ave., Suite 120 B
Albany, CA 94706
1-888-9-RESPITE (1-888-973-7748)
Beacon Home Care is a local provider of non-medical caregivers offering assistance for individuals and families. All caregivers are background checked, bonded, insured and DOJ approved. Caregivers have experience with a wide variety of age-related illnesses and conditions. Services available include: post-hospitalization care, respite care, companionship, walking assistance, bathing and dressing, transportation, keeping appointments, shopping/errands, meal preparation, medical reminders, laundry care, and many more to fit client needs. Available 24/7. Free, no-obligation in-home assessment. Hourly rate is $22-$29, overnight fee is $175- $200, and our live-in fee is $220-$270. Also work with Long Term Insurance Policy holders. No minimums, no contracts.
LivHOME
1981 N. Broadway, Suite 235
Walnut Creek, CA 94596
866.371.1488
925.296.0406
Website:www.LivHome.com
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.
Nightingale Nursing
101 Callan Ave., #405
San Leandro, CA 94577
510-357-4222
925-685-5577
www.nightingalenursing.com
Nightingale Nursing owned and founded 25 years ago, provides private duty custodial care in both Contra Costa and Alameda Counties. Nightingale is available 24/ for immediate service. Staff are Certified Nursing Assistants, (CNA) Certified Home Health Aides,(CHHA) or Caregivers with at least 2 years of home care experience. All employees receive thorough background checks, are bonded and insured. All job applicants receive a comprehensive interview and skills assessment. No minimum hour requirements. Rates start at $22.00 an hour for 3 hours or more. One and two hour visits, $40.00 for 1 hour and $50.00 for the two hour visit. Live-in is $250.00. Sleep-over, $160.00. No hidden charges or shift differential fees. Staff can transport their clients on outings with a 52 cents per mile charge when using their own vehicle. No binding contracts or deposits, only a Client Service Agreement, where clients can start or cancel service anytime. No start up fees. We offer hands-free long term care insurance billing. Free home assessments and home safety checks by a Case Manager, who also writes a complete care plan. A member of the California Association for Health Services at Home, (CAHSAH) and the National Private Duty Association, (NPDA). Also offer state–approved Training Programs for (CNA), Certified Nurse Assistant Training, Certified Home Health Training, (CHHA), along with Continuing Education programs for CHHA, and CNA, including Hospice training. Also offered at San Leandro campus, along with Licensed Vocational Nurse Training, (LVN). Medicare and Skilled Services are available.
Premier Homecare Angels
1151 Harbor Bay Parkway, Suite 208-B
Alameda, CA 94502
510.862.7486
510.331.6970
www.PHAngels.com
Premier Homecare Angels is a nonmedical home care agency. Caregivers undergo a rigorous hiring process, all are licensed, bonded and insured. Caregivers are available to 24/7. Initial assessment is offered free of charge. Hourly rates range from $17 to $22 per hour and live-in rates are $190 to $230, depending on client needs. Free, no obligation assessment! You can contact via email at info@phangels.com or call at either 510.862.7486 or 510.331.6970
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
www.professionalhc.com
Professional Healthcare at Home is a full service home health 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, with non-medical rates starting at $24 an hour. The company is CHAP accredited and Medicare certified, and all employees are highly trained, screened, bonded, and insured. Clinicians are licensed, and professional case managers coordinate care with physicians and other healthcare providers. Services include nursing care, physical and occupational therapy, extended care, home health aides, medication management, and the full range of personal care assistance, transportation and companionship.
ResCare Home Care Services
3730 Mt. Diablo Blvd, Ste 320
Lafayette, CA 94599
510-653-7242
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. $275 per 12-hour shift. Live -in $285.
Right At Home In Home Care and Assistance
3137 Castro Valley Blvd., Suite 201
Castro Valley, CA 94546
510-690-9612
www.alamedacountyrightathome.com
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”.
Senior Pro Services
444 Estudillo Ave, Suite A3
San Leandro, CA 94577
(510) 357-2222
Email: info@seniorproservices.com
www.seniorproservices.com
Professional and comprehensive at-home services, including: Care Management and Coordination, In-Home Care giving Services, Companionship and Daily Living Assistance, Senior Transportation and Emergency Transfers, Licensed Fiduciary for Legal and Financial Referrals to one of our trusted partners. Prices start at $24.50 hourly, and Live-in $240 per day. Competitive and based on the level of services provided. Free price consultation comparison of up to two other agencies of your choice, where we compare rates to services, benefits and incentives. Complementary services to our clients include: 24- Access to RN for medical consultations and prescription refills, Care coordinators for caregiver and in-home assistance, gerontologist for support and guidance, social workers for case management and liaison licensed fiduciary.
Sutter Care At Home
2100 Embarcadero, Suite 101
Oakland, CA 94606
510.652.3317 / 800.698.1273
Sutter Care at Home offers private duty services through our Private and Geriatric Care business line (formerly Cohen Cormier) – to provide patients and families guidance, support and solutions for caregiving challenges. Services range from personal care, to household assistance, to care management. Prices for private duty care begin at $25 an hour, with a four hour daily minimum or sixteen hours weekly. 24/7 care is also available for $250. All caregivers are trained and supervised by Care Managers who are nurses and social workers.
HOME CARE REFERRAL AGENCIES
Tender Heart Home Care Agency
2694 Bishop Drive, Suite 260
San Ramon, CA 94523
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 since 2005. 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. Provides help and assistance with all activities of daily living and works with various Long Term Insurance groups. 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. Caregivers must have a minimum of 2-3 years experience. References are checked and verified. The most important credential is that 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 vehicles. 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.