Home Care FAQ
Choosing a home care agency for a loved one can be a difficult, and overwhelming task. With so many different options, there are often questions that come up when trying to make the best decision for your family member. At Visiting Angels we strive to provide answers to your questions and want to help you make the decision that works best for your situation. We have compiled a list of frequently asked questions we are asked from potential clients. If you have additional questions, please call 952-935-0789 or fill out our contact form and we will reach out to you!
Why Would I Choose A Professional Caregiver?
An in-home caregiver provides many levels of support, such as:
- An individualized care plan that reflects the preferences, needs, and schedule of the client
- Interaction and company lower the chance of depression from isolation
- Ability to receive care at times when it is most needed
- Lower costs compared to facilities such as assisted living or nursing home
- Individualized 1:1 care
- Peace of mind for the family knowing your loved one is in professional, trustworthy hands
- Personal assistance that prevents falls, injuries, and other common household accidents
What is the difference between Home Health Care and In-Home Personal Care?
These two forms of home care provide different levels of care for the recipient. Home Health Care agencies provide medical care in the home by a trained and certified medical professional, such as an RN, PT, or OT. A private home care agency, such as Visiting Angels West Metro, complements the care of a home health agency. Our caregivers are able to assist with delegated tasks while supervised by our registered nurses. Medical tasks include things like medication administration, catheter care, ostomies, application and removal of compression stockings, assistance with modified diets, etc.
Non-medical services assist your loved one with activities of daily living and provide much needed companionship. Activities of daily living include tasks such as: personal hygiene support, dressing, toileting, help with chores, meal planning and preparation, grocery shopping or medication pickup, etc.
My Loved One Lives in a Facility, Are You Still Able to Assist Them?
Yes. Visiting Angels works with many local independent living, memory care and assisted living facilities. Oftentimes the nursing staff in facilities are tasked with care for more than one senior during their shift. To ensure loved one's are properly cared for, families will choose a professional caregiver to supplement the assistance provided by the facility.
A private caregiver allows these seniors to remain in their current place of residence and often reduces or even eliminates the need for seniors to move to another part of the facility. They are able to maintain more of their independence and are not subject to the increased rates that often accompany a move.
Visiting Angels also supports facility care if the individual is waiting for a room to become available. If your family member resides in assisted living, but needs to move to memory care, for example, we will assist them while they are on the waiting list. Our caregivers also support facility staff if the client requires 1-on-1 care in order to remain in the facility.
How Do I Begin Services With Visiting Angels?
Contact our office to schedule a free consultation. Our staff will be able to answer your questions, determine your needs, and provide information about our service options. Our care coordinator will then perform a no-cost home care assessment and develop an individualized care plan that outlines the needs of your loved one. We then select the best caregiver(s) we feel have the skills, personality, and availability to support you.
Do We Have to Receive Services for a Certain Amount of Time?
There is no obligation to the amount of time a client must receive services. We do ask, however, that after services have begun a two-week notice of discharge is provided.
Do You Accept Insurance or Medicare? How Do We Pay for Services?
Visiting Angels is a private pay agency. If the client is eligible for benefits from Long Term Care Insurance, it is the client's obligation to first pay Visiting Angels, then seek reimbursement from the third-party payor. Medicare covers skilled care after a hospitalization, transitional care stay or a change in condition that results in "home-bound" status. These services include visits from a Physical Therapist, Occupational Therapist, and Registered Nurse to manage the clinical need, but they do not provide assistance with the day-to-day, longer-hour support that an individual may need for fall prevention and assistance with their daily routine. Visiting Angels does not provide waivered services.
Is There a Time When In-Home Care Would No Longer Be Appropriate?
Most seniors are able to stay in their home, through the end of life if that is their desire, with the right level of care. There are circumstances, however, when a move may be necessary or recommended. If this is the case, your one's case manager will support you in these conversations and offer recommendations and/or referrals as needed.
What Types of Services Do In-Home Caregivers Provide?
Home care services provide support and assistance with daily tasks and ensure the safety of the individual. These tasks include, but are not limited to:
- Companionship
- Fall prevention
- Bathing, dressing and grooming assistance
- Some housekeeping
- Medication reminders
- Meal planning and preparation
- Mobility assistance & stand-by support
- Running errands
Do You Care for People Living With Dementia or Other Conditions?
Although Visiting Angels’ caregivers do not provide medical-specific care, they offer professional care services for individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia and other medical conditions such as Parkinson's disease. If your loved one needs assistance with the tasks mentioned above or needs companionship and social interaction — a Visiting Angels’ caregiver will make a huge difference in their daily life.
A number of our caregivers have experience with Alzheimer’s, Dementia and Parkinson's care and some have specialized certifications from reputable industry organizations. Visiting Angels - West Metro proudly employs PAC Certified Independent Professionals who use approved methods and content from Teepa Snow and Positive Approach to Care.
Our caregivers also receive thorough training on conditions that include cognitive decline, congestive heart failure, and diabetes. When a caregiver notices concerning changes or symptoms with your loved one, they alert their case manager, who will then contact you with information and follow-up.
Do You Provide "Hospice Services," And/Or Care for Individuals on Hospice?
Though Visiting Angels is not a hospice agency, we do provide care through the end of life in partnership with our local hospice agencies. Our Visiting Angel's case manager collaborates closely with your loved one's Hospice RN Case Manager to coordinate the types of cares .
Hospice RNs typically visit weekly, depending on the needs of your loved one. The focus of the hospice visit is to assess changes to your loved one's needs and adjust medication if necessary. The hospice agency sometimes will send a bath aid to the home once or twice a week for 1-2 hours at a time. A Visiting Angels' caregiver can supplement that care with as many hours as needed, and can even be available around the clock. They will help with activities of daily living and comfort cares such as bathing, repositioning, toileting, medication reminders, and more.
Can Caregivers Run Errands or Provide Transportation?
Caregivers from Visiting Angels may provide client transportation occasionally, if the caregiver is available and the current weather conditions are suitable. If transportation is a consistent need two or more times per week, Visiting Angels will refer the client to a transportation service. A caregiver may use their own vehicle to provide transportation and errand services for the client, but the client must be able to be left unattended while the caregiver does this on their behalf.
Can We Communicate With Our Senior's Caregiver?
The most efficient way to communicate with the caregiver is face-to-face during a shift or through the office. Any changes to scheduling, change in condition, hospitalizations, questions or concerns should be communicated first through the office staff. The office will then contact the caregiver and notify them of any changes. The responsible party, or other family members, may also call or visit the client's home while the caregiver is present to talk with them. We require that our families and caregivers do not exchange phone numbers in order to maintain professional boundaries and protect the privacy of our caregivers and clients.
How Does the Caregiver Know What They Need to Do?
Before beginning care, a Visiting Angels' case manager will complete an assessment and develop an individualized plan of care. This care plan is then made available to your caregiver(s) who can view it at any time electronically. The care plan will include a list of tasks that the caregiver is to complete and document during each shift. This task list can be changed at any time and/or as the client's needs change.
Serving Minneapolis and the West and Southwest Communities
Visiting Angels WAYZATA, MN
901 Twelve Oaks Center Dr #908CWayzata, MN 55391
Phone: 952-935-0789
Fax: 952-935-0778