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 Area Agency on Aging’s office in Vallejo. 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.
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.
Accentcare
1470 Enea Circle, Suite 1735
Concord, CA 94520
1-800-834-3059
www.accentcare.com
North Bay Home Health & Hospice
429-7759
Professional Healthcare at Home
190 S. Orchard Ave., Suite B-117
Vacaville, CA 95688
707-776-1904, 800-654-5677
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.
Abba In Home Care Services
1055 Azuar Dr.
Vallejo, CA
707-704-6489
Abba In Home Care offers in-home, nonmedical caregiver services. All employees are bonded, insured and will work flexible hours, either live in or hourly. Rates start at $22 an hour, and $220 for 24-hour live in. Also offers board and care home placements without charge. Serves Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, Solano, Sonoma, Yolo and Sacramento Counties. www.abbahomehealth.com or email abbahomecare@yahoo.com
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 to individuals while maintaining their independence and quality of life in their 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.
Hired Hands Homecare
1754 Second Street
Napa, CA 94559
707-265-6400
Hired Hands Homecare is a family owned and operated, full service homecare company, providing a wide range of caregiving services for over 17 years. All Caregivers are our employees, and are thoroughly screened, insured, and bonded. Caregivers available on a flexible hourly, overnight, and live-in basis. Hourly care starts @ $24.00 per hour, and 24 hour care starts at $310. Serving the entire North Bay, with office in Marin, Sonoma, & Napa counties. Complimentary case management, needs assessment, and home safety evaluation provided at no cost. Members of the National Private Duty Association (NPDA), the California Association for Health Services at Home (CAHSAH) and the Better Business Bureau (BBB).
Home Instead Senior Care
33433 Broadway, Suite B-1
American Canyon, CA 94563
707-552-2266
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, $350 per day for live in.
Love & Joy Senior Care Services
Serving the Bay Area
707-642 7918 / 925-408 7122
Contact: Jennie Falcon
lj.seniorcare@yahoo.com
This is a private duty, non-medical home care and care home placement agency. Licensed nurses supervise each caregiver assigned to each client. Caregivers have been carefully chosen, background and referenced checked, bonded and insured. Flexible and competitive rates for hourly, live-in and 24 -hour care. Rates range from $18-23 per hour, $200-300 per day for 24-hour live in care.
Professional HealthCare at Home
190 S. Orchard Ave. Suite A-105
Vacaville, CA 95687
Office: 707-447-4228
Cell: 707-280-3287
Fax: 707-447-5923
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 Medicarecertified, 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.
Senior Helpers
1100 Trancas St. #214
Napa, CA
707-251-1540
Senior Helpers is a private duty home care agency. Rates range from $20-25 an hour, three hour minimum. Live in rate from $300/ day. Free home safety and assessment on intake. Caregivers are screened: multi-state/county background checks, fingerprint check, drug testing and reference checks. Competency testing and education performed on an ongoing basis. All staff are supervised. Also offer Geriatric Care Evaluation, Care Coordination and Wellness Watch programs.
Sequoia Senior Solutions
191 Lynch Creek Way, Suite 102
Petaluma, CA 949554
707-254-7660
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 4-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, drug tested and criminal background checked. All are monitored and supervised. Transportation at IRS rate if caregiver’s car is used.
Your Home….Nursing Services
3158 Jefferson St.
Napa, CA 94558
707-224-7780
www.yourhomenursing.com
Your Home…Nursing Services is a state licensed, family owned, local, private duty home care agency providing services since 1989. Complimentary skilled nurse assessment. Staff includes: homemakers, caregivers, massage therapy and skilled nurses, providing non-medical to handson care. Range of services can provide all levels of need. services to all ages Most of the 120 caregivers have been employed here over five years and are continuously refining skills. Caregivers are screened, bonded, covered by all insurances, have CPR and first aid certification, background checks, motor vehicle reports and have at least 3 references confirmed. Weekly skilled nurse re-visits with patients for quality, and phone family with any changes (special service for family living out of area). Staff also advocate for care with local doctors. Rates: Homemakers, $22.50 per hour, Caregivers, $24.50 to $26.50 per hour, Sleepovers, $250.00, Live-ins, $350.00 ($14.58 per hour), Bathing Services, $50.00 per visit, Wellness/Safety Visit, $35.00. No hourly minimums and no extra charge for weekends or holidays. Special Services: Caregivers for worldwide traveling, pet care, family member support at family events (weddings, vacations) and special skilled nursing wound care in the home. Also specialize in caring for: Cancer (Hospice), Alzheimer’s, Dementia, Strokes, Parkinson’s and assisting with post-surgical special needs. Services covered by private pay, credit cards, most long term care insurances, employer health plans, such as: CALPERS and we are the chosen vendor for the Veterans Homecare Benefits program. Agency will provide all the “leg work” for you with your insurance requirements. Will assist with reimbursement possibilities.
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 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.
AmeriCare
831 Alamo Dr., Ste 4A
Vacaville, CA 95688
(707) 447-7734
www.americarenorcal.com
Americare is a referral agency matching the needs of clients with the skills and personality of the caregiver. Qualified caregivers provide in-home, non-medical services ranging from companionship to personal care. All referred caregivers have certification in the health care field and have been background checked. Driving records are also checked. No hourly minimum. Hourly rates begin at $20. Live-in rates begin at $240. Private pay and long term care insurance accepted. Visit our website for more information.
Caregiver Referral Service
Area Agency on Aging
Serving Napa and Solano
Vallejo: 643-1798
Vacaville: 469-6679
This agency maintains a list of people who work as companions, housekeepers, gardeners, handymen and odd jobbers. You’ll be given several names to call, and you make a choice and do the hiring. It’s a free service, but each individual charges their own rates and terms. All is to be negotiated with the person to be hired. Rates range from $12-15 an hour.
Faith in Action
Serving people throughout
Solano County
469-6675
This is a volunteer program. Will provide respite care, grocery shopping, light household and yard chores, errands and visitation, non-medical, in-home assistance.