In Contra Costa County, getting help at home isn’t as easy as it sounds. For many, bringing a stranger into their home to take care of them in a very vulnerable time can seem overwhelming. There are worries about who that person might be, how much to pay them, how many hours they should work and the most prevalent: Can this person be trusted? 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 Contra Costa 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.

SUTTER VNA and HOSPICE
Concord
1900 Bates Ave.
Concord, CA 94520
925.577.4240

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 BrightStar 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.

Our Family For Seniors
814 Navarrone Lane
Concord, CA 94518
925.978.3961
Albert: 925.818.6536
This is a private duty home care agency. All care services are overseen by a R.N. consultant, who is also available for medication questions and help with physician communication. Also have a social
worker who makes assessments and plans of care. All clients are fully assessed. Transportation provided to all medical appointments. Rates are $25 an hour, 6 to 8 hours for $16/hour. CNA’s are trained in
Alzheimers, dementia, stroke and Parkinson’s Disease. All employees are fingerprinted, drug screened, criminal background checked, have a current TB test. All are trained prior to placement. Also offers a no-fee placement service to board and care, assisted care and nursing homes.

Companion 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 supprts many communitybased services geared for improving the lives of seniors.

Comfort Assisting, LLC
Professional Senior In-Home Care
P.O. Box 243
Walnut Creek, CA 94597
925-933-3200
www.comfortassisting.com

This a private duty, non-medical home care agency. . Our caregivers are trained for each particular client. We assist with activities of daily living and provide unique bathing services for clients who are shy or uncomfortable. Caregivers are trained in Alzheimer’s, dementia and Multiple Sclerosis. Special RN-led exercise sessions available. Caregivers can work 24/7, all year around and assist our clients find comfort in their homes. Free assesment. No minimum hours requirement. Services taking 2 hrs and fewer are billed per job. Rates start at $23.50 an hour. Live-in start at $200.00. Caregivers are continually monitored and drug screened.

Confidence Home Care, Inc.
Marina Bay at Richmond, CA
94804
Phone: 510 235 0198
Fax: 510 439 2786
info@confidencehomecare.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.

Hillendale Home Care
1777 N. California Blvd. #210,
Walnut Creek, CA  94596
925.933.8181
www.hillendale.net
This private home care agency is owned and operated by an R.N. Providing non-medical home care and Geriatric Care Management since 2002, services include: personal care, meal preparation, light
housekeeping, medication reminders, transportation and companions. Care is initiated by a complimentary assessment visit, and a Care Plan is written to ensure provision of structured and professional care.
Rates are $24 an hour with a fourhour minimum, live-in is $275, and a sleep over is $180. Caregivers are bonded, insured, background checked, and covered by Worker’s Compensation insurance. They are
supervised and receive ongoing training. A member of the California Association for Health Services At Home and the National Private Duty Association.

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.

John Muir Homemaker Services
1220 Rossmoor Parkway
Walnut Creek, CA 94595
925.988.7557
We are an employee based, nonmedical in-home care service under John Muir Health business license. Our caregivers are long-term employees, experienced in all aspects of domestic in-home and personal
care. They receive follow-up training on a regular basis, including Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. John Muir Health performs extensive background- and medical checks prior to hiring. No deposit required. Minimum service is 3 hours @ $25/ hr. 4 – 12 hours of care is charged @ $23/hr. Sleepovers are $195 and Live-in care is $268. We assist with Long Term Care Insurance documentation for reimbursement. We work closely with our John Muir Senior Services and Caring Hand Programs.”

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

Nightingale of Contra Costa
1521 Contra Costa Blvd.
Pleasant Hill, CA 94523
925.685.5577
Nightingale Nursing owned and founded by Barbara Hamrick 23 years ago, provides private duty custodial care in both Contra Costa and Alameda Counties. 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 $23.00 an hour for 3 hours or more. One and two hour visits, $45.00 for 1 hour and $55.00 for the two hour visit. Live-in is $285.00. Sleep-over, $165.00. No hidden charges or shift differential fees. Transportation is not provided as a separate service, staff can transport their clients on outings with a 45 cents per mile charge when using their own vehicle. No binding contracts or deposits, only a Client Service Agreement, where clients can cancel/start service anytime. No start up fees. Will take care of the insurance billing.

Free home assessments and home safety checks by a Nurse Case Manager. Nurse also writes a complete care plan. Care Management also available. 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). Long term care insurance accepted.

Senior Helpers
1170 Bunett Av., Suite J
Concord, CA
925.376.8000
This is a private duty non-medical agency. Caregivers are experienced and go through reference checks, social security card number checks and criminal background checks. All are insured, bonded, have valid driver’s licenses, and work under the supervision of the staff nurse. CNAs and caregivers with experience with Alzheimer’s and Dementia patients are available. Free assessments. Rates run between $20 and $25 with a 4 hour minimum. Live-in caregivers are also available at a rate between $290-$320. Caregivers are experienced and undergo thorough reference, Social Security and background checks.

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:
1. 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.

2. The agency finds and screens the caregiver, but the client interviews and chooses the caregiver. The client and the caregiver negotiate the rate. The client pays the caregiver directly, and also pays a referral fee to the agency. No substitutes are available.

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 operatedreferral agency serving Contra Costa County. 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, Parkison’s disease, ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease), and Hospice Care. There are no long-term binding contracts. Free initial consultation visit by a Registered Nurse. Hourly rates range from $18-20/hr. Live-in rates range from $185 – $200/ day. There are no extra charges for evenings or weekends. Available 24 hours day/7 days a week.

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.

The Home Aid and Attendance benefit is offered by the Veteran’s Administration to pay for assisted living, board and care and In Home Care if a person is a veteran or a
surviving spouse of a veteran who served at least 90 days of active duty with one day during war-time. If a person qualifies, a veteran with spouse can receive a maximum of $2,346 a month, a single veteran can receive up to $1,632 a month, and a surviving spouse up to $1,055 a month.
Veteran’s Benefits to Pay for Long Term Care The person much also have a medical diagnosis requiring daily assistance with two or more activities of daily living.

Application forms for the Aid and Attendance Benefit are available through the Contra Costa County V.A office.
Contra Costa VA Office:
925.313.1481 (Central County)
510.374.3241 (West County)