Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have to use the services of a care manager in order to use Elder Care’s home support staff?
If you choose to use Elder Care’s home support staff, they are supervised and monitored by Elder Care’s professional Care Management Team. Our requirement is that a member of the Care Management Team visits at least once per month to provide direct supervision. We believe that the partnership between our professionals and our Home Support staff provides the most comprehensive individualized level of care. You will be invoiced for the professional’s time at the hourly rate, as well as travel time one way.
Why do Elder Care Consulting’s services seem more expensive?
While our services may seem more expensive at the outset, over time, we find that the costs associated with professional charges decrease, and that the daily rate of the Home Support Services becomes very comparable to other agencies, even when considering the associated professional care management fees.
For example, our live in rates are $210-240.00 daily, depending on the level of care required by a client. A member of the care management team may spend 2-3 hours in the first month orienting and educating an aide to a client’s specific needs in the beginning. However, once it is assured that the client’s needs are being met and the aide and the client are matched well, professional costs may decrease. In future visits, the Care Manager may only see a need to provide an hour’s worth of care management monthly to assure that needs are met and that care is coordinated. This averages out to an additional $3.17/ per day. The value added is the peace of mind associated with the knowledge that each client’s situation has a professional monitoring our in home staff and educating them specifically to each family’s needs.
What are the benefits of using a Geriatric Care Manager?
Members of our Geriatric Care Management Team are available to assist in implementing the agreed upon plan of care, to educate and supervise home health assistants, help clients maintain health and independence and to provide on-going education to clients and their families. Once you are a member of our organization, our Care Managers are available to support and counsel families through many different types of situations. We also help clients through transitions, including in and out of hospitalizations, supporting and advocating for their personal decisions.
Will I be charged for scheduling changes?
There are no fees for communication related to scheduling support staff or associated scheduling changes.
Will Long Term Care Insurance cover the cost of Elder Care Services?
Some long-term care insurance policies will pay for in home services. We will work with your long-term care insurance provider to have your claim paid on a regular, timely basis. Having worked with a variety of LTC providers our professionals can assist you through the reimbursement process.
How are your home health support services different from other agencies?
Most of our employees come to us by referral of current employees and many of our home health aides are long-term employees. Their loyalty and the level of care they are able to provide is recognized and they receive above average compensation. Our company provides professional liability insurance, bonding and insures our employees to transport clients as necessary. We conduct criminal background checks and request written and verbal references and test their written knowledge of basic geriatric aide care prior to employment. Our Home Health aides (HHA) are required to have completed a certification program. ECC also requires ongoing in-service. We understand that not every employee is a perfect fit for every case. Therefore, we work hard to match our employee’s personality to the older adult. Our Home support team provides them with education and techniques on how to work with individuals who may be resistant to accepting care.
Our HHAs are required to clock in and out through our computerized phone system. If an employee is late for a particular appointment, we are in immediate contact with the clients. Our scheduling process is very flexible and personal and our scheduling coordinator is trained in the care of older adults.
Who are your home support team and what will they charge me for?
All of our rates and services are outlined in our contract to you and our fee schedule is always posted on our web site. Members of our professional home support team are educated in the fields of nursing, social work, psychology and gerontology. Our Care Managers hold certification as Care Manager, Certified through the National Academy of Certified Care Managers and have extensive clinical experience working with older adults. Geriatric Care management services are billed at an hourly rate to coordinate ongoing care. These services include, but are not limited to, clinical documentation to facilitate case coordination, including the update of care plans, email or telephone communication to clients/families or all other involved parties, site visits to hospitals facilities or care planning /family meetings. Our company maintains the least expensive care management rates in the state of Connecticut.
Do you have a specific question that we did not answer?
We welcome your questions so please feel free to call us as (860) 643-9500 or email us at ecc@eldercareconsultingllc.com