Getting help at home is usually the first thing that people think about when chores and/or personal care is becoming difficult or impossible. Housekeepers, gardeners and occasional handymen are the easiest for most of us to consider because they don’t carry the psychological burden of no longer being able to do for ourselves. Caregivers can be resisted because of cost, fear of loss of independence, autonomy and privacy, or just due to stubbornness and personal will. While most prefer a family member or prior knowledge of the caregiver, this may not always be possible. Family members might have good intentions, and while promises are made, commitments may be more difficult to keep. It’s may not be the best thing to have a family member, friend or neighbor as a caregiver. The most reliable solution is hiring outside assistance with a regular schedule. This way, family members remain as family and others can be counted on to do the hands-on work.
There are many choices in help at home. If looking to hire privately, there’s a caregiver referral service out of the Volunteer Center in Napa. Discharge planners, hospices, social workers also know of people who might want to work privately. If hired privately, the hours worked and wages paid are between you and the employee. You are also liable for worker’s compensation and IRS withholding.
Here’s a brief rundown on the types of agencies in Solano County.
NAPA COUNTY HOME HEALTH AGENCIES
These agencies provide services that are 100% covered by Medicare, Med- Cal or private health insurance. This service must be ordered by a doctor. However, you still have a personal choice of agency. Requirements to qualify for care are:
1: Homebound,
2. Need for skilled care. Skilled care means that you need a nurse, a physical, speech or occupational therapist. This is also a time and visit limited services. 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 doesn’t list these prices because the costs are directly reimbursed by Medicare. You are not billed for services.
St. Helena Hospital Home Care Services
A service of St. Helena Hospital
27 Woodland Rd.
St. Helena, CA 94574
965-5770
PRIVATE DUTY HOME CARE AGENCIES
These agencies provide both skilled and non-skilled care. The services might be covered by long term care insurance, 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 often a minimum number of hours for services. 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.
Advantage Home Healthcare
1319 Travis Blvd., Suite D
Fairfield, CA 94553
253-7533
Contact: Patricia Hansen
Provides service in Napa, Solano and Yolo Counties
This is a private duty, state-licensed, local home care agency providing medical and non-medical services. Medical services range from $50-$125 per hour. Non-medical services, $20-25 per hour with a four-hour minimum. Live-ins, $250-$325 per 24-hour shift, and sleepovers are $200-250 per 12-hour period. Bath service: $40-60. Also provide services for bill paying, errands and placement to residential/assisted care homes. All employees are bonded, insured and undergo a thorough pre-employment screening that includes a criminal background check, drug screen, credit and motor vehicle reports. All employees are CPR and First Aide certified.
Hired Hands Home Care
1754 Second St.
Napa, CA 94558
265-6400
Contact: Marilyn Barnes
Hired Hands Home Care is family owned and operated, full service Homecare Company that has been providing caregiving services for over 15 years. Caregivers are employees, and Hired Hands responsibilities, include employees’ wages, taxes, screening, criminal background checks, insurance, bonding, and workers’ comp. Caregivers are available on a flexible hourly, overnight, and live-in basis. Hourly care starts @ $24.00 per hour, and 24 hour care starts at $310. Bill rates include all Caregiver wages, State and Federal taxes, professional liability insurance, bonding, and Workers’ Comp., as well as ongoing case management. Serve the entire North Bay, with offices in Marin, Sonoma, & Napa counties. Complimentary case management ensures the highest level of stability and quality of care. Call today for a complimentary Needs Assessment and Home Safety Evaluation.
Home Instead Senior Care
33433 Broadway, Suite B-1
American Canyon, CA 94563
552-2266
Provides service in Napa, Solano and Sonoma Counties.
This is a private duty home care agency that provides services such as personal care and grooming, errands, medication reminders, incidental transportation, light housekeeping and companionship. Accepts Long term care insurance. Care givers are employees of the company, so complete supervision and management is provided and all taxes and insurance is included. All employees are screened
for criminal and driving records, as well as TB tested. Ongoing training is provided to all employees. They provide 24 hour phone support for after hour emergencies. Rates range from $20 – $25 per hour, $330 per day for live in.
Love & Joy Senior Care Services
Solano and Napa: 342-5613
Contra Costa: 925-408-7122
Provides service in Napa, Solano and Contra Costa Counties
This is a private duty home care agency. Rates start at $18 an hour, and $200 per day for a live-in. Caregivers are CNA’s, experienced, bonded, reference and background checked. All are fingerprinted and have TB clearance. Accept long term care insurance.
Senior Helpers
1100 Trancas St. #204
Napa, CA 94558
251-1540
Provides services in Napa and Solano Counties.
www.seniorhelpers.com
This is a private duty, non-medical home care agency. Rates range from $20-25 an hour, three-hour minimum. Live in rate, $350. Free home safety and assessment on intake. Caregivers are screened, multi-state/county background checks, fingerprint check, drug testing, and reference checks. Also examine personality, likes, dislikes, determining the best match for seniors. Competency testing and education performed on an ongoing basis. All staff are supervised.
Sequoia Senior Solutions
191 Lynch Creek Way, Suite 102
Petaluma, CA 949554
254-7660
A private duty, non-medical home care agency. Provides in-home care at $24.50 an hour. Evening Rate, $27.00 an hour from 8 pm to 8am. Minimum 2-hour shift. Live in care, $345/day. In-home free assessments and safety checks. Accepts checks, cash, major credit cards and insurance. Employees are bonded, insured and criminal background checked. All are monitored and supervised. Transportation at IRS rate if caregiver’s car is used.
Visiting Angels – Napa
2245 Montgomery Dr., Suite B-1
Santa Rosa, CA 95405
528-0222
Contact: Albert DeSilver
www.visitingangels.com/santarosa
NOW Serving Napa County
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 inhome 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 50 cents a mile, using caregiver’s vehicle.
Wine Country Senior Care, Inc.
3552 Jefferson St.,
Napa, CA
226-3055, 510-333-8509
This is a private duty, nonmedical home care agency. Rates: $18-22/hour. Minimum 4-hour shift. $180-220/day. All caregivers area criminal background checked, (FBI and Department of Justice), TB-tested, receive first aid and CPR and medication assistence training. Bonded and trained in caring for elderly.
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 are bonded, fingerprinted and have background checks. Accepts long term care and other insurances.
HOME CARE AGENCIES
These agencies provide non-medical caregivers/companions to help with personal care, transportation, meals, baths, light housekeeping, etc. They provide many of the same services as private home care agencies, however, the caregiver is not an employee of the agency…the caregiver is an independent contractor.
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 caregiver negotiate the rat. The client also pays the caregiver directly and 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
At-Home Senior Services
128 Brophy St.
American Canyon, CA 94503
363-4036
Serving Solano and Napa Counties.
This referral agency has caregivers that are bonded, trained and insured. Rates range from $16-18 an hour, with a four-hour minimum shift. Live-in shift ranges from $230-260 per 24 hour period.
Caregiver Referral Services
(Ask for Caregiver Referral)
Area Agency on Aging
Serving Napa and Solano
644-6612
This agency maintains a list of people who work as companions, housekeepers, handymen, gardeners and odd jobbers. You’ll be given several names to call, and you make the choice of hire. It’s a free service. Hourly rates are negotiable for each person, and usually range between $15-$20 an hour.
Cora’s Home Companion Care
3478 Shelter Creek
Napa, CA
255-6260
363-2220
This is a non medical home companion providing personal care in your home. Rates, $16-20 an hour Minimum, four-hour shift. Live-in care $190-$250, depends on level of care and needs of patient.
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: 4 hours and above $17.50 an hour. Under 3 hours, $18.50 an hour Live-in care $300 a day, depending on level of care. All caregivers are bonded, criminal checked, fingerprinted. All well trained.
Hearts that Matter
68 Coombs St., Suite
Napa, CA 94558
252-7569
Contact: Kim or Charmaine
This nonmedical home care referral agency provides companions, housekeepers and nursing assistants. Rates range from $18 – 22 per hour for a four-hour shift. 24-hour rate is negotiable, but starts at $300. They can provide rides, and care for people with Alzheimer’s . Will accept long term care insurance. Caregivers are bonded, criminal background checked, fingerprinted, CPR certified and credentialed.
In-Home Supportive Services Napa County
Comprehensive Services for Older Adults
900 Coombs St., #257
Napa, CA 94558
253-4625
A county-funded service, primarily for people needing assistance to stay at home, yet are unable to afford to privately pay for care. The rate and number of hours that one is eligible for services is determined by a county social worker. In order to qualify for this service, a person must also qualify for Medi-Cal and SSI. This agency also maintains a caregiver registry.
