FAQ: Working with Visiting Angels of Southwest, MI
Considering in-home care for yourself or your loved one can be overwhelming. So many questions. We have the information you need right here. And, if you have more questions, we're happy to answer them. Call us at (269) 459-6464. We strive to respond to calls within 15 minutes.
Caregivers
"The biggest impact is because of the relationship Ruth, the caregiver, has with my mom. She feels comfortable talking to her and asking her to do things. It's a relief to know that if my mom needs anything, Ruth is there." -- Sylvia D.
- How do I know which caregiver my loved one will get?
With us, you’re in charge of everything, even choosing your own caregiver with our Select Your Caregiver® process. - How do caregivers know what care my aging parent will need and when?
Your Visiting Angels care provider will follow your schedule (i.e. what time to get up, when to bathe, meal schedules, etc.). It’s our job to adjust to your schedule and to see to it that you or your loved one remains comfortably at home. - What screenings do caregivers need to pass to be hired?
Caregivers go through a phone screen, in-person interview, and a four-hour face-to-face orientation. Our rigorous hiring and training process, as well as random drug screens; thorough 7 year, all state all county background checks; elder and sex abuse registry checks; Social Security verification; and frequent supervisory visits, ensures us that caregivers really are “Angel” material. We’re devoted to making sure our clients’ needs are met from the moment they are introduced to us. We employ Client Coordinators whose jobs are to focus specifically on each clients’ needs, and communicate with clients or their responsible loved ones on how our Angel Caregivers are performing when needed. These Client Coordinators also perform unannounced supervisory visits while our Angel Caregivers are present. - How does Visiting Angels pre-qualify its employees?
We look for caregivers who have previous caregiving experience in a professional facility or Homecare setting as well as personal caregiving experience. We won’t hire anyone we wouldn’t want taking care of our OWN family.
Costs and Pricing
"We chose them because they gave me the best deal. After talking to owners Ellen and Denny, I could tell they cared about their business." -- Linda and Jack
- What government support is in place for someone interested in home care without insurance?
There are some state programs that can assist in paying for these services, the local Senior Services of Southwest Michigan in Kalamazoo, MI or the Department of Human Services- Area Agency on Aging Older Adult Services Division. If you or your spouse was a Veteran you may be able to offer some home care services, check with the Veteran Affairs Department. We are honored to be a service supplier in good standing to the Veteran’s Administration! - Does Visiting Angels accept Medicare programs as primary insurance? Or secondary?
At this time Medicare does not extend to Michigan for Homecare services. We hope this changes in the future. - Does Visiting Angels have a contract with the MI Choice Waiver Programs?
We currently do not have a contract with MI Choice Waiver Programs - How much does Visiting Angels cost?
2020 Scheduled Visit Rates
- Standard Visit: Cost for weekday visits scheduled between 3 and 7 hours. $24/hour
- Longer Visit: Cost for weekday visits scheduled for 7 hours or longer. $22/hour
- Two Hour Visit: Cost for weekday visits scheduled between 2 and 2.75 hours. $32/hour
- 60 Minute Visit: Cost for weekday or weekend visits scheduled for 1 hour. $50 flat
- 30 Minute Visit: Cost for weekday or weekend visit scheduled for ½ hour. $40 flat
- Weekend Visits: Cost for Standard, Longer or Two Hours Visits scheduled on Saturdays cost $1/hour more and $2/hour more for visits scheduled on Sundays. +$1 or $2/hour
- Transportation: Transportation in client supplied vehicle is included in the above Visit Rates. Transportation in a caregiver supplied vehicle is charged at $0.75/mile in addition to the visit rate. $.075/mile
- Gloves: $7/box of 100
Gloves must be provided for caregiver use when tasks of hygiene, cleaning, laundry or other tasks that may involve contact with bodily fluids are scheduled. Clients may provide these on their own or Visiting Angels can supply them at the above cost. - Billing Submissions: $1/hour The company can submit records, invoices or other requested information directly to an insurance company for an additional $1/hour charged to the above rates.
- Holiday Rates: Time and a Half
The holiday rate is one-and-one-half times the weekday rate above and will be charged for the holidays listed below. The holiday rates begin at 12:00 a.m. on the holiday and ends at 11:56 p.m. on the holiday. Any service that begins during that period will be charged at the holiday rate. Visiting Angels of Southwest Michigan holidays are:
- New Year’s Day
- Memorial Day
- Fourth of July
- Labor Day
- Thanksgiving Day
- Christmas Eve
- Christmas Day
- New Year’s Eve
Ancillary Costs
Miscellaneous
- Does Visiting Angels offer Hospice services?
We do provide supplemental hospice care and work cooperatively with Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan, Heartland Hospice, Grace Hospice, SouthernCare Hospice and other providers. - Does Visiting Angels have their own OT, PT, and Speech therapists?
Visiting Angels does not provide OT, PT, or Speech Therapy as these are considered medical services. We do work cooperatively with several specialists by being present during appointments and assisting clients with therapy “homework.”
About Visiting Angels of Southwest Michigan
"They are very honest, and when they say they are going do something, they are going to do it. I would recommend them to all my friends. I totally trust them." -- Carol C.
Our mission is to provide care that allows our care recipients the freedom to live their lives as fully as possible. We enjoy seeing them participate in activities they enjoyed prior to needing our care, and we gladly transport them to church, family, or other social or rehabilitation functions. We are happy to transport and observe, or even participate with our care recipients!
Our Core Values are based on PRIDE:
- Potential: Recognizing the unique characteristics necessary for true Angel Caregivers and focusing on unique characteristic, training and intentional placement to create a path for success.
- Respect: Respect is a two-way street—if you want to receive it, you need to give it. We require everyone in our organization be treated with, and treat others with respect. This includes themselves, co-workers, caregivers, care recipients and colleagues.
- Integrity: Being truthful and honest with one’s self and others.
- Dependability: Commitment to fostering the relationships built and commitments made.
- Excellence: Providing remarkable, compassionate service.
The company and all its members are insured and bonded, including caregivers.
At this time Michigan does not have a State Certification for Homecare. We abide by our corporate policies set out by Visiting Angels franchise and thus operate at the same standards as if we were in a licensed state.
Our goal is “Angel Care Beyond Compare.” Our Angel Caregivers are what make us succeed. We measure our success by the positive impact that we make on the lives of our care recipients. Whether it’s going the extra mile - to transport a loved one, unexpectedly, to the emergency room when caregiving relatives are out of town, providing comfort to recipients and their loved ones as they endure a terminal disease, or allowing care recipients to return to the community and partake in activities that they used to enjoy, making a difference in someone else’s life is how we know we did our job well.
How does Visiting Angels rank against competitors? Using an independent data collection firm, we track metrics that show how we consistently exceed both the national and regional averages of client satisfaction ratings. We don’t settle for mediocrity and are constantly looking for ways to improve and strive for perfection.