Frequently Asked Questions about Home Care Services for the Elderly

Answers to the most common questions about home care services for the elderly in Cartersville, GA and the surrounding areas

Our most common questions and answers about home care services for the elderly are below, but if you would like to talk in more detail, feel free to call us in Cartersville at (470) 839-8303.

What is home healthcare and how does it differ from home care?

Home care services for the elderly in Cartersville, GA encompass a wide range of services, including medical and non-medical care. However, language has changed slightly in recent years. While the terms "home care" and "home healthcare" can be used interchangeably, "home care" often refers to non-medical services like companionship/homemaking and personal care, while "home healthcare" refers to skilled nursing and other care like speech, physical, or occupational therapy.

What services do Comfort Keepers provide?

Companionship care services offered by Comfort Keepers include food preparation and laundry, light housework, grocery shopping and errands, transportation to and from appointments, medication reminders and grooming. Regardless of where your loved one resides in Cartersville, GA and the surrounding region, we can help. Personal home care services for the elderly includes a wide range of options such as help with baths and grooming, personal hygiene and mobility, as well as help with transferring and positioning and support with urination or incontinence or special diets.

How do you select individuals to become Comfort Keepers?

We rigorously examine and train all of our caregivers, who are referred to as "Comfort Keepers," before allowing them to care for a patient. This includes national and local criminal checks, a DMV check, and personal and professional references from Cartersville. All Comfort Keepers are bonded, insured, and covered by Workers' Compensation insurance for the benefit of our clients' peace-of-mind. To become a Comfort Keeper, we only engage caregivers who we would trust to care for a member of our own family. Providing home care services for the elderly is simply the finest method to go about doing it.

How much does in-home care cost?

Our Comfort Keepers office in Cartersville is independently owned and operated, which means we develop specific solutions to meet each individual's home care needs. These needs vary greatly from family to family, so we create a plan that fits your situation and budget -- as actual costs vary depending on the level and duration of care. Please call us to schedule a care consultation to learn more. We will be able to provide specific pricing information then.

Is care available 24 hours, 7 days a week?

Absolutely. Home care services for the elderly are available for as little as a few hours a visit up to 24 hours, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. As mentioned, all of our services can be customized to your particular situation here in Cartersville.

Can you provide home care services for the elderly services on short notice?

Yes. We realize that issues happen without notice. Our team is fully staffed to prepare for your situation like no other care agency in Cartersville.

Do you provide services to those in nursing homes or assisted living communities?

Yes. Comfort Keepers can provide companionship or personal care to residents at assisted living communities and nursing homes who may want additional attention or personalized care. We have great relationships with many Cartersville area facilities.

Is there a written plan of care for each client? Do these plans get modified and if so, how often?

Everyone who comes to see us receives a unique, confidential Plan of Care from our office. Documenting what kind of senior home care is required and when the client wants to begin receiving it is the goal of this form. As soon as the client, family members, and local office agree on the Plan of Care, our Cartersville staff will utilize that information to recommend the Comfort Keeper who will be delivering the service, determine the timetable, and agree to the monitoring and communication of the service.

Every six months, we meet with the client and family to evaluate the Plan of Care, but Georgia state requirements may require us to meet more frequently. In order to be certain that the client is receiving adequate care and is satisfied with the Comfort Keeper who is giving it, it is crucial to conduct regular reviews.

Will I have the same Comfort Keeper all the time? How will I meet my Comfort Keeper?

The Client Care Coordinator will document the older client's needs and preferences for a Comfort Keeper match at the first time we talk and at the in-home visit. Once the best fit for the client has been determined, a meeting between the client, the Comfort Keeper, and the Coordinator is arranged. Everybody evaluates the Plan of Care to ensure that everyone is on the same page as to what services will be given.

What if my Comfort Keeper is sick or on vacation?

When a caregiver is sick or on vacation, a team of caregivers is on hand to ensure that your care is not disrupted. This means that the Client Care Coordinator will find another caregiver for you if your current Comfort Keeper is unavailable. The interim caregiver will be introduced by the Client Care Coordinator, who will also go over your Plan of Care with them prior to their arrival. Our purpose is to ensure that the elderly are receiving the home care services they are entitled to. We place a high value on your safety and security.

What are ADLs and IADLs?

In everyday life, ADLs (Activities of Daily Living) refer to chores that are necessary for a person's well-being. Taking care of one's personal hygiene, dressing, grooming, eating, and mobility are all included in this category. Independent for the most part, many seniors who need assistance with ADLs may still need assistance with one or two of them. Even sporadic assistance from a relative or friend can be helpful in some situations. However, informal arrangements may not be sufficient when relatives or friends are unable to attend, and arranging these events is crucial. There are times when an in-home caregiver can have a profound impact on a person's life.

Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs) are those activities that are less basic than the traditional ADLs. IADLs are important in enhancing a client’s quality of life. IADLs include activities such as shopping, paying bills, household chores (cleaning, laundry), and meal preparation.  Many seniors require assistance with IADLs rather than ADLs. Some seniors want someone to escort them when they are shopping to help avoid falling. Other seniors may welcome assistance with their bill paying and medical appointments. Comfort Keepers offers an array of companionship and home care services for the elderly to assist our clients with the IADLs. Please contact Comfort Keepers in Cartersville, GA for more information: (470) 839-8303.