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 Sonoma and Marin Counties.
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.
Arcadia Health Care
101 Brookwood Ave., Suite 204
Santa Rosa, CA 95404
707-541-3600
4340 Redwood Hwy, Suite F123
San Rafael, CA 94903
415-472-2273
St. Joseph Home Care Network
170 B Professional Center Dr.
Rohnert Park, CA 94923
707-547-5460
Sutter VNA & Hospice
1110 N. Dutton Ave.
Santa Rosa, CA 95401
707-535-5700
Sutter VNA & Hospice
4000 Civic Center Drive, Suite 190
San Rafael, CA 94903
415-492-4600
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.
Arcadia Health Care
101 Brookwood Ave., Suite 204
Santa Rosa, CA 95404
707-541-3600
4340 Redwood Hwy, Suite F123
San Rafael, CA 94903
415-472-2273
This agency provides both Medicare-certified skilled home health care and custodial caregivers for skilled nursing, therapies, and services for people of all ages. In Marin, personal care rates are $25.50 per hour, 1 ½ hr. visit minimum. Under four hours, $28/ hour. A rise and shine tuck-in is $55 and sleepover is $200 for a 12-hour shift. Live-ins are $300/24-hour shift. Transportation escorts are available at 60 cents a mile. In Sonoma, rates are $23 an hour for a four-hour shift and a sleepover is $200. Live-ins are $295 and a rise and shine tuck-in is $55. A home visit by a nurse is $170 a visit, and hourly nursing rates range from $55-75 an hour. Caregivers are bonded, insured, criminal background checked, fingerprinted and drug screened. Complimentary on-going care management services by geriatric care managers. Accepts private pay, most insurances, Medi-Cal and Medicare.
At Your Service Homecare
1221 Farmer’s Lane, Suite C
Santa Rosa, CA
707-573-1003
At Your Service Home Care is a home care agency in Marin and Sonoma Counties since 2003. . Caregivers provide in-home care services and specialize in dementia and Alzheimer’s as well as Hospice care. All care staff are bonded, insured, with extensive background checks completed. Service starts with a complementary in-home assessment by a licensed nurse. The rates start at $23.00 per hour or $285.00 per day for a live in shift. The agency is accredited by California Association for Health Services at Home (CASAH). Locally owned and operated by Lucy Andrews, M.A. in Health Administration.
Care At Home
5555 Montgomery st.
Santa Rosa, CA
707-579-6822
Care At Home is part of the Episcopal Community Foundation, a non-profit organization. All caregivers receive 16 hours of initial training. Depending on area of service, they also have specialized training in Alzheimer’s, Hospice and Geriatric Sensitivity. Rates are $20.50 – 23.50 an hour. There is also a travel charge for shifts less than eight hours. They use training and backup support from Spring Lake Village. Transportation with caregiver escort is 70 cents a mile. All caregivers are bonded, fingerprinted, criminal background checked, drug screened and have a current driver’s license and insurance.
Comfort Keepers- Santa Rosa
5577 Skylane Blvd, Suite 4B
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
(707) 526-3582 PH
(707) 526-5164 Fax
www.comfortkeepers.com
ck745@comfortkeepers.com
Comfort Keepers is locally owned and operated by Irene Griffin, RN FNP, Moura Everhart, RN and Benjamin Everhart, GM MBA. This is a family owned business with extensive knowledge/experience in home care. Comfort Keepers have at least one year of experience and receive on-going competency training by our nursing staff. All are carefully screened, background checked, bonded, insured and covered by workers compensation. Must pass a physical prior to working. Fees start at $24/hr. 24 hr care is available starting at $295/day. Special services include; Medication management, Medication box set up, filling of insulin syringes, General Health assessment and Care coordination services by RN staff. Clients are visited regularly by our management team. HIPAA Compliant. Phones answered 24/7. Private pay, long term care insurance, Visa and MasterCard.
Confidence Home Care, Inc
865 Marina Bay Parkway
Richmond, CA 94804
510-235-0198
Confidence Home Care provides non-medical home care services in Marin County. Rates start at $23/hour. Live ins $275 a day. $175 Sleepover. All caregivers are crimilan background, credit and work history checked.
Health Care Connection
1363 Lincoln Ave., #4
San Rafael, CA 94901
415-457-2256
Health Care Connection is a locally owned home health care agency established in Marin County in 1998. The rate with a 4 hour minimum is $22.50/hr. 2-3 hour shifts are $25/hr. A 24 hour live is $275/day and a sleepover is $175/night. The caregivers are employed by HCC and are supervised by an RN. Criminal background checks, workers compensation, and liability insurance are provided.
Home Care Advantage, LLC
1400 Guerneville Rd., #10
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
707-523-2218
Home Care Advantage, LLC employees are bonded, insured and have extensive background checks. All employees have to have at least 2 years work related experience and be able to pass a skills test. Care is from three hours a visit up to 24 hour care. Assist in all activites of daily living, companionship, etc. Works with clients from IHSS, Redwood Caregivers, MSSP, Linkages, Face to Face and Hospice. The rates for hourly care starts at 24.00 hour, 24 hour rate is 285.00 per day.
Home Instead Senior Care
6050 Commerce Blvd.
Rohnert Park, CA 94928
707-586-1516
415-883-6260
Home Instead Senior Care has been locally owned since 1998, Services are personalized to care needs. Will come out for as little as 2 hours at $22 per hour. Up to 24 hours livein care at a flat rate of $290 per day. Night care and Rise and Shine & tuck-in services available. All Caregivers are trained, bonded & insured employees. Free in home Care Consultations with an LVN to establish personalized care.
Homewatch CareGivers of the North Bay
1300 Grant Ave., #203
Novato, CA 94945
415-898-5768
707-996-5768
Homewatch CareGivers is the oldest privately owned Home Care Agency in America. Companion care ranges from $20-25 an hour. Personal care with trained caregivers ranges from $22-27 an hour. Night shift (sleepless 12 hours) ranges from $240-260. Live-in, 24-hour care starts at $275. RN nursing visit is $90 an hour. Transportation is available at $24 an hour (they use your car, otherwise add $.75/mi.), with a three hour minimum. Discounts apply for long-term cases. Caregivers are triple-screened, experienced, insured, bonded and supervised. Homewatch offers free assessments, free written care plans, free home safety inspections and monthly quality assurance evaluations. They also offer a Care Management tool, the ultimate client book.
Seniors At Home
600 Fifth Avenue
San Rafael, CA 94901
415-449-3777
Info@SeniorsAtHome.org
www.SeniorsAtHome.org
Seniors At Home services include Home Care, Skilled Nursing, and Palliative and End of Life Care, a free home care assessment by an RN, attendant care 4 to 24 hours aday, on-call RN and staffing coordinator, and complete care coordination. Attendants are trained and supervised, bonded and insured, and background screenings are performed. Home care rates are $23-26 per hour and $230-250 per live-in shift. Skilled nursing visits are $150. Palliative and End of Life Care consultations are available to clients at no charge. Additional services offered by Seniors At Home included Care Management, Counseling, Money Management and Conservatorships, Spiritual Care and Volunteer Services.
Senior Helpers
802 B St.
San Rafael, CA 94901
707-251-1540 415-460-9967
Provides services in Napa, Marin, Sonoma and Solano Counties.
www.seniorhelpers.com
Senior Helpers is a private duty home care agency. Rates range from $22-28 an hour, three-hour minimum. Live in rate, $300-350 per day. Caregivers are screened, multistate/ county background checks, fingerprint check and reference checks. Also examine personality, likes, dislikes, determining the best match for seniors. Competency testing and education performed on an ongoing basis.
Sequoia Senior Solutions
191 Lynch Creek Way, Suite 102
Petaluma, CA 94954
Sonoma and Mendocino Counties
(707) 763-6600
Napa and Lake Counties (707) 254-7660
Marin County (415) 259-0331
Sequoia Senior Solutions is a private duty, non-medical home care agency. Provides inhome care at $24.50 an hour. Evening Rate, $27 an hour from 8 pm to 8 am. Minimum 4-hour shift. Live in care, $345/day, couples $390/day. Sleep-over $235. In-home free assessments and safety checks. Accepts checks, cash and insurance. Employees are bonded, insured and criminal background checked. All are monitored and supervised. Transportation at 55 cents per mile if caregiver’s car is used.
Visiting Angels–Sonoma County
Visiting Angels Senior Homecare & Respite
“Sonoma County’s Choice in Homecare”
WEB: www.visitingangels.com/santarosa
2245 Montgomery Drive, suite B-1
Santa Rosa, CA 95405
(707) 528-0222
Visiting Angels–Santa Rosa provides personalized non-medical services, and only hires professionally experienced caregivers. A fully bonded and insured agency, directed by a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and Case Managed by a Licensed Vocational Nurse. All caregivers are thoroughly background checked and drug screened. Visiting Angels conducts caregiver supervisory visits and regular client check-ins. Available 24/7. Free in-home assessments and safety checks. 3 Hour Minimum. 2010 rates:
Live in/24-hour, $14 per hour, Overnight (sleep) $17.50 per hour, Hourly 4-12 hours, $23-$25 per hour
Angel Visit 3 hours $27 per hour. Transportation is 55.5 cents a mile, using caregiver’s vehicle.
Visiting Angels Napa County
Visiting Angels Senior Homecare & Respite
“Napa County’s Choice in Homecare”
WEB: www.visitingangels.com/santarosa
2245 Montgomery Drive, suite B-1
Santa Rosa, CA 95405
(707) 528-0222
*Please call number above for care in Napa County. Napa office, address, and phone number not available at the time of printing.
Visiting Angels–Napa County provides personalized non-medical services, and only hires professionally experienced caregivers. A fully bonded and insured agency, directed by a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and Case Managed by a Licensed Vocational Nurse. All caregivers are thoroughly background checked and drug screened. Visiting Angels conducts caregiver supervisory visits and regular client check-ins. Available 24/7. Free in-home assessments and safety checks. 3 Hour Minimum. 2010 rates:
Live in/24-hour, $14 per hour, Overnight (sleep) $17.50 per hour, Hourly 4-12 hours, $23-$30 per hour
Angel Visit 3 hours $30 per hour. Transportation is 55.5 cents a mile, using caregiver’s vehicle.
WeCare Home Assistants
987 Airway Court, Suite 24
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
707-322-7070 877-280-2802
(toll-free)
Provides service in Sonoma and Marin Counties. It is family-owned and caregivers are staff-supervised employees of the agency. Caregivers are carefully screened with background checks and are bonded and insured. Services include companionship, errands and transportation, respite and hospice care. Free 24/7 emergency hotline. Rates for companion and personal care are $24 per hour with a
four-hour minimum. Overnight shifts up to 12 hours, $180. Live-in rates, $260 per day. Accepts major credit cards and processes long-term care insurance. Member Better Business Bureau.
Your Home….Nursing Services
3158 Jefferson St.
Napa, CA 94558
224-7780
This is a private duty, state licensed, local home care agency. Caregiver rates are $24.50 an hour with a 5+ hour shift. $26.50 per hour with a four hour shift. Special 2/3 hour is $50. Skilled medical services are: RN, $65 per hour, LVN, $55 per hour. Complementary skilled assessment to develop care needs. Custom services include: caregivers for worldwide travel, pet services, short term (during surgery) or long term placement. Caregivers aer bonded, fingerprinted and have background checks. Accepts long term care and other insurances.
DOMESTIC 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, 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.
2. 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.
Acclaim Home Care
4340 Redwood Highway, A14
San Rafael, CA 94903
415-479-5125
888-499-7372
Acclaim Home Care is a locally owned and operated agency providing non-medical services since 2002. All caregivers are licensed, insured, bonded and supervised by a LVN. Hourly rates starts from $19 to $25.00 per hour with a minimum of 4-hour shift. Live-in rates starts at $210.00 to $240.00 and overnight from $150.00 to $180.00. Medication set-up and care management by a Certified
Care Manager is available free of charge. Transportation is provided at 58.5 cents per mile if caregiver’s car is used. Provides free in-home assessment and quality assurance visits. Accepts private pay, credit cards and long term care insurances. There is an on-call person available after hours for any concerns. For care management services, fees start at $35/hour.
Care Connections
707-823-2555
707-539-5305
This is a domestic referral service that places only live-ins. All caregivers are self- 36 Maarriinn aanndd SSoonnoomaa Coouunnttiieess Seeniiorr Carree Diirreeccttorry 22000099 employed, independent contractors. Criminal background checked. $150-180 a day for a 24/7 live-in shift.
Caregiver Referral
Sonoma Council on Aging
707-525-0143, ext. 113
707-539-5305
The Sonoma Council on Aging maintains a referral list of caregivers pre-screened with DMV and criminal background checks. Services offered include some light housework, driving, cooking and personal care. Rates are determined by individuals hired. The cost of the list is $150.
From The Heart Home Care
131 A Stony Circle, Suite 550
Santa Rosa, CA 95405
707-528-4663
Golden Years Home Care
1752 Yellowstone St.
Napa, Ca 94558
257-2590
Contact: Mila Gabuya
This is a non-medical home care referral agency. Rates are $16.50 – 20.50 an hour. Minimum, 4 hour shift. Under 3 hours, $20.50
® Senior Helpers locations are independently owned and operated.
Contact Us Today!
707-251-1611
www.seniorhelpers.com
■ Caring Companionship
■ Meal Preparation & Cleanup
■ Bathing & Dressing
■ Walking Assistance
■ Light Housekeeping
■ Medication Reminders
■ Alzheimer’s &
Dementia Care
■ Up to 24-hour Care
■ Bonded & Insured
Independent Living
Peace of Mind
for your Loved One
for your Family
707-1540
Marin Center for Independent Living
710 4th St., San Rafael, CA 94935
415.459.6245
Provides a list of experienced, screened
home health aides.
Precious Home Companion
4040 Civic Center Dr., Suite 200
San Rafael, CA 94903
415-444-0663
This is a nonmedical referral agency locally owned and operated since 2001. No minimums. Negotiated rates cover all services and fees. One hour visit, a flat rate of $36. Two-three hours, $22 an hour. Overnight shifts start at $175, and 24-hour shifts start at $255. All services are private pay. Transportation, using a caregiver’s car, is 75 cents a mile. Caregivers have at least three years experience, screened, criminal background checked, credit and social security checked. All are legal to work in the U.S. Each caregiver carries individual malpractice and liability insurance and are bonded.
