In Alameda 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 tofind 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.

Here's a brief rundown of "types of agencies."

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.

In Alameda County, Home Health Care Agencies include:

SUTTER VNA AND HOSPICE

Emeryville

510-450-8501 (Home Care)
510-450-8596 (Hospice)

San Leandro

510-618-5200 (Home Care)
510-618-5220 (Hospice)

Tender Loving Care Home Health Care
24301 Southland Dr., Suite 212
Hayward, CA 94546
510-732-0430

Vision Home Health Care
36601 Newark Blvd.,Suite 47
Newark, CA 94560
510-795-1632

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 cover- age. 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.

Care Providers and Beyond
223 West 5th St.
Antioch,CA 94509
925.978.3961
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 $16 an hour, two hour minimum.CNA ’s are trained in Alzheimers, dementia, stroke and Parkinson ’s Disease. All employees arefingerprinted, 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.

Home Fairies
415.760.1751
Contact:Feli Galo
www.homefairies.com

This is a private duty home care provider. Assists with all activities of daily living. Rates range from $20-24 an hour. No hourly minimum. Live-in starts at $225. Free, no-obligation assessment. Employees are trained and background checked. Some long term care insurance accepted. Payment plan options provided.Contracts with I--Care Medical Transportation.

Home Instead Senior Care
70 Washington St., #305
Oakland, CA 94607
510-663-3652
Pleasanton:
5776 Stoneridge Mall Road, Suite 135
Pleasanton, CA 94588
925-225-0220
Fremont
39111 Paseo Padre Parkway
Suite 203
Fremont,CA 94538
510-505-0222

Home Instead Senior Care is a non-medical home care agency providing companionship, personal care and homemaker services for seniors. All caregivers are screened, bonded and insured, receiving initial and on-going training. A Client Care Coordinator performs regular quality control visits to ensure services meet expectations. The cost of services ranges from $22.50 to $26.50 for hourly care, and $225.00 to $260.00 for 24 hour care. Free, no obligation initial client service assessment and home safety check.

Maxim Companion Services
1000 Broadway, Suite 425
Oakland, CA 94607
866.261.4786
www.maximhomecare.com/companion
This is a nation-wide private duty and home health agency. There is no minimum for hours. Rates range from $20-$25 an hour, depending on number of hours. Live in: $225-$250 per day. Transportation can be provided at a rate of 31 cents a mile. Local managers are available 24/7. All caregivers are licensed, bonded, criminal background checked and require one year of experience in home care before hire.

TREQ In-Home Care,Inc.
2450 Peralta Blvd.
Fremont, CA
888.565.8737

This is a private duty home care agency serving people throughout the Bay Area. Hourly rates start at $20.50,with a four hour minimum. Live-ins start at $200 a day. All caregivers are trained, experienced, bonded and insured. Free assessments.

Visiting Angels
145 Town and Country Dr., #105
San Ramon, CA 94526
925.552.6500

Visiting Angels Living Assistance Services is an employee-based, non-medical homecare company. Services include a free initial assessment, coordination of care, 24-hour on-call, and the ability to select your caregiver. Caregivers assist with activities of daily living including transportation, medication reminders, companionship, safety, and moral support. All caregivers are experienced, screened, bonded,insured, criminal background checked, and DMV record checked. Care is available 4 to 24 hours a day and typically costs between $22 to $24 hourly or $275 per day for live-in care. Provide short term, long term and respite care. There is no weekly minimum and the care schedule can be tailored tofit the specific needs of the client.

Visiting Angels Fremont
39159 Paseo Padre Pkwy, Suite 110
Fremont, CA 94538
510-284-0000

Visiting Angels Fremont office is an employee-based homecare agency providing non-medical services in Alameda County. All caregivers go through extensive background checks, reference checks, DMV checks and drug testing prior to being hired by Visiting Angels of Fremont. Caregivers are available short term or long term, and hourly and live-in care is available. Care is available in shifts of 3 hours per day or more. Hourly care is charged at $23 -$25 per hour, and live-in care is provided at $240 per day. Client is able to select their own caregiver after a free in-home assessment.

HOME REFERRAL AGENCIES

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 agencyfinds 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 agencyfinds 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 Alliance
Alameda and Contra Costa Counties
510.885.1319
www.americarealliance.com

This home care referral agency matches needs of clients with skills and personality of the caregiver.Caregiver preference is client based.All caregivers are certified nursing assistants or home health aides. Hourly rates start at $18 and live in rates start at $220.No minimums,no contracts. Agency is bonded and insured.

From the Heart Home Care, Inc.
11501 Dublin Rd. #200
Dublin, CA
Contra Costa /Alameda
925.803.0663
Marin /San Francisco
415.444.0663
Santa Clara
408.298.0663

We are a non-medical referral agency locally owned and operated. Rates are negotiated to cover all services. There are no minimums. A one hour visit is $36 per hour, two-three hours is $22 per hour, and 4 consecutive hours or greater is $19.75 per hour. Overnight shifts start from $175, and 24-hour shifts start from $250. All services are private pay or can be covered by long-term care insurance. Transportation, using a caregiver ’s car, is 75 cents per mile. Caregivers have at least three years experience, including a screening of criminal, credit and social security records. All are legal to work in the U.S. Each caregiver is criminally bonded and carries individual malpractice and liability insurance.

Tender Heart Home Care Agency
925.838.4444

Tender Heart is a non-medical in home care referral agency that provides assistance with all the activities of daily living. Usual rates are between $17.50-$22.00 an hour, and live-ins range from $190-225 a day. There is a two-hour minimum with slightly higher rates. Caregivers can provide transportation at 75 cents a mile. Tender Heart screens all caregivers, verifies social security, does a complete criminal background check, and all caregivers must come with at least two years experience. References are checked and verified. The most important credential is that all caregivers have a loving and caring heart. An initial in-home screening is done at no charge to match the right caregiver to the client ’s needs and staff are on call 24-hours a day.