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Home Care Basics

What are home care providers?

Licensed home care providers, such as A1 Care, provide companionship and non-medical personal care including incontinence care, meal preparation, activities of daily living, light housekeeping, and other needs and services, delivered to older adults living in private homes, apartments and assisted living communities.

What is the difference between home care providers, like A1 Care, and home health care?

Home health care includes medical care delivered to homebound patients by medical professionals such as doctors, therapists, nurses, and other skilled medical staff. They provide wound care, injections, therapy, and other medical procedures and care during scheduled in-home appointments with the patient, for a limited amount of time. Once the appointment is completed, the medical staff leaves.

Home care providers, like our Caregivers, stay on-site and assist with non-medical care tasks and often work in cooperation with home health professionals to help seniors. Caregivers assist the senior daily or several times a week and help with the household tasks and routines, and activities of daily living so the older adult can live as independently as possible. Our Caregivers are available for overnight shifts and extended daytime hours to ensure the safety and comfort of our clients.

How can we start home care with A1Care?

Call us at (866) 995-3300. We’ll ask questions to learn more about your specific care needs and schedule a complimentary assessment where we come to you to discuss a care plan, hours of care, and answer any of your questions. Then, with a service agreement in place, we’ll develop a customized care plan to support your loved one.

How long does this take? I want to start home care now.

It takes about 24-hours from the time you place the initial call to the time we can have our Care Manager come to visit you in your home for a care assessment. Once that is completed and you have a service agreement, we will schedule your Caregiver.

Working with a Qualified Caregiver

Are A1 Care Caregivers trained to work with seniors?

Yes, every one of our Caregivers is enrolled in the innovative CareAcademy Caregiver Training Program where they learn about the aging process, how to conduct safe transfers, prepare nutritious meals, assist with bathing, and hygiene care and other activities of daily living. They are also trained to enhance comfort, create meaningful activities, and engagement, and provide the kind of companionship that enhances the quality of life for our seniors.

How are your Caregivers selected?

After applying, potential Caregivers are interviewed and screened through an extensive process. We are looking for individuals who are warm, compassionate, and patient and have a genuine desire to connect and make a meaningful difference in the lives of our seniors. All candidates must submit a criminal background check and up-to-date immunization records. We also conduct a thorough reference check. If they will be transporting the client, we also check to make sure they have a valid driver’s license, clean driving record, and up-to-date insurance.

Will we always work with the same Caregiver?

We know our seniors like working with familiar faces. Often, you’ll be working with a couple of different members of our A1 Care Family so we can honor our Caregivers’ shift schedules, vacation time, and holidays. Rest assured that all of our staff are trained and qualified to help and will be working together to make sure they are up-to-date on your loved one’s care needs, routines, and preferences.

Schedules & Care Visits

Are your services available around-the-clock, even on weekends and overnight?

Of course! Our Caregivers are available 24/7 and there is someone to take your call at any hour, day and night. We are here when you need us.

What if I need to change the schedule or care plan?

Then we will do it. We are here to support you and your loved one. When circumstances change, we can change the plan and care visits to accommodate those needs.

What if I don’t like my Caregiver? Can I make a change?

Yes. Your loved one’s care and comfort is our priority and we work hard to match the needs, preferences, interests, and personality of your loved one to a Caregiver who shares those qualities in the hopes of making a comfortable connection. But, if the match isn’t working, please let us know. We will make another match. 

How will I know what kind of care and activity was provided to my loved one that day? Can I get updates?

Absolutely. Our Caregivers keep a log of all activity throughout the day and you’re more than welcome to reach out to us to check in on your loved one’s Caregiver, activities, schedule, and other details. Your Caregiver will also be a great resource for information and available to discuss things with you while they are in the home.

Please feel free to call us at any time to discuss care changes or questions, and any scheduling or billing issues. Our Care Manager is also available for one-on-one meetings in our office.

Billing & Payment

Does Medicare pay for your services?

No. For more information about Medicare coverage, go to Medicare.gov.

Does my long-term insurance cover the cost of your services?

Yes, most long-term insurance policies do cover some of the costs of home care, but policies and benefits vary widely. Still, even a limited amount of coverage can help offset the costs. Please contact your insurance company for more information.

How often will I be billed for caregiving services?

A1 will send you a detailed, itemized invoice every week. You pay the company directly with a check or credit card.

Do I pay the Caregiver directly?

No. You do not pay Caregivers, nor do they accept tips or gifts.

Do I have to sign a long-term contract?

No. There is no long-term contract. You can add hours as needed and cancel any shift more than a day in advance without charge. Shifts canceled 24 or fewer hours before a shift is scheduled to begin will be charged the regular shift rate.

Are your Caregivers insured in my home?

Yes. A1 Care is an insured and licensed provider of home care and our Caregivers are insured through the company.

Our A1 Care Family supports our seniors, backs up our Caregivers and we are available, and accessible to discuss any questions, concerns, or ideas about your loved one’s care and comfort — at any time. From our Family to yours.

Let us help you make these important decisions. We know the right questions to ask, and the answers to your questions. We know the care options in your area and can help guide you through the decision-making process with the health and happiness of your senior in mind.

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