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Assistance at Home
Suggested Links:
Finding Care In The Home
Hiring In-Home Help
Downloads:
Hiring In-Home Help [218kb pdf file]
Residential placement agencies provide assistance to seniors and their families in choosing a residential care home or assisted living facility. These agencies will provide information about alternatives for the health, location, financial and social needs of the senior. No fee is charged to the senior or family for this service.
Finding Care in the Home
For those wishing to stay in their home but need assistance with daily activities, a variety of agencies and services are available to assist you in arranging personal or chore assistance where you live. These services are considered custodial and are not covered under Medicare.In Home Care Agencies
- Workers compensation and deductions are agency's responsibility.
- Agencies arrange for substitutes when usual worker becomes unavailable.
- Agencies are bonded and worker is an employee of agency.
- Some agencies offer live-ins, bath service and 12 hour shifts.
- Typical Costs: Hourly: Approximately $16.00 - $25.00/hour
Live-in: Approximately $150.00 - 220.00 a day
Home Health Agencies
Services are provided for seniors who are confined to their home and require skilled care for an injury or illness. Medicare may pay for services provided by certified agencies. Home health agencies can provide the services of private duty RN, LVN and CAN for a fee.Referral Agencies:
- Agency refers workers to you after pre-screening, contacting references and criminal background check.
- Worker contracts with agency and receives pay as an independent contractor, not as an employee.
- Agency can arrange for substitutes and replacements.
- 2 and 3 hour shifts may be available.
Contra Costa County Senior Outreach Services
Home Chore Registry
925-937-8311
Hours: 9:00 am to 3:30 p.m.
Costs: $12.00- $15.00 per hour
- Maintains list of workers based on pre-screening, references and fingerprint checks.
- Agency provides your phone number to worker; worker contacts you directly for all arrangements.
- Agency does not provide oversight, supervision or replacements.
- Three hour minimum.
- You pay worker directly.
Placement Agencies
- Agency will meet with you to clarify your needs.
- Agency will screen and check references on all referrals.
- You are the employer and pay all salary, payroll taxes and workers compensation coverage.
- There may be significant cost savings with this type of agency if care is needed for an extended period of time.
- Average Costs:
Hourly: $12.00 - $15.00 per hour depending on skill/care level.
Live-in: $150.00 - $200.00 per day, plus room and board.
Placement fee to agency.
Hiring In-Home Help
Most people prefer to live in their own homes as long as possible, but personal care, household chores and the ability to run errands can become difficult due to frailty, illness or injury. Hiring in-home help may provide seniors with the extra support needed to continue living safely at home.
In order to determine which agency will provide you with the best service for your money you may wish to ask these types of questions.
- Is your agency licensed, and if so, by whom?
- Do you provide a detailed care plan to the worker with a copy to the family?
- Do you require a minimum number of hours of work per day?
- Are your caregivers trained to work with chronically ill or memory impaired individuals?
- Is your agency bonded? Are your workers bonded?
- How long have you been in business in this area?
- What are you fees? Do you offer a sliding fee scale for lower income people?
- Are there any additional costs, i.e., for travel or a home assessment?
- Do you bill by the hour, the week or month?
- Who is responsible for the worker's social security, Medicare and Federal tax deductions?
- Who supervise the caregiver and how often?
- How do you handle complaints?
- Can you provide a substitute caregiver if the usual caregiver is unable to work?
- How do you handle emergencies in the home?
- How do you safeguard client confidentiality?
- What is the screening process you employ to hire your workers? Do you perform a criminal background check or require references?
Download our Care Receiver's Needs List (49k PDF file) to specify the services needed. Then download and prepare the Caregiver's Job Description (40k PDF file) to list in detail what tasks you expect to be performed and at what frequency. Understand that "light housekeeping" means washing dishes, doing laundry, changing linens, cleaning and maintenance of living areas. Do not expect the caregiver to wash windows, shampoo carpets, clean up after pets or move furniture.
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