Frequently Asked Questions From Comfort Keepers About Private Home Care in Plymouth, MI

Read through some of the most frequently asked questions in Plymouth, Canton, Westland, and the surrounding areas by our in-home care company.

What's the difference between healthcare and homecare?

Care at home is a broad term that refers to any type of care (medical or non-medical) given to a client at their residence. In the past few years, however, there has been a slight change in language. It can refer to both medical and non-medical care, but it is most commonly used to refer to non-medical care like companionship/homemaking and personal care. "Home healthcare," on the other hand, refers to the skilled nursing and other care that is provided at home.

What services do Comfort Keepers provide for clients?

Our at-home care company provides companionship care services such as meal preparation, laundry, light housekeeping, grocery shopping/errands, incidental transportation, medication reminders, grooming, live-in service, and respite care. We also provide a wide range of personal care services. For example bathing, grooming, hygiene, mobility assistance, transferring/positioning, toileting/incontinence, and feeding/special diet assistance.  Some offices provide Alzheimer's and dementia care and in-home safety technology solutions.  Services vary by state and office.

How do you select Comfort Keepers?

Each caregiver–special people we call Comfort Keepers–is an employee of our at-home care company who is carefully screened and trained before caring for a client. Each must go through a stringent screening process that includes national and local criminal background checks, DMV checks, and personal and professional reference checks. For our clients' peace of mind, all Comfort Keepers are bonded, insured, and covered by Workers' Compensation insurance. We work hard to hire the best caregivers to become Comfort Keepers because we only hire people who we would want caring for a member of our own family.

What's the average cost of care?

Our in-home care agency is privately owned and operated. We encourage you to contact our office directly for a complete list of available products and services, as well as rates in your area.

Are care services available 24 hours, 7 days a week?

Yes.  Services are available for as little as a few hours a visit up to 24 hours, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.  

Can you provide services on short notice?

Yes.  We understand that situations can arise where one needs care services in a hurry. We can provide services on an as-needed basis.

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

Yes. Our at-home care company can provide companionship or personal care to residents at assisted living communities and nursing homes who may desire additional attention or personalized care.

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

Our in-home care company creates a Plan of Care for each client that is unique to them and completely confidential. The goal is to keep track of what kind of care is required and when the client wants to start receiving it. Once the client, family members, and the local office have agreed on the Plan of Care, the office staff will use that information to recommend the Comfort Keeper who will be delivering the service, establish the schedule, and agree on monitoring and communication.

Plans of Care are reviewed with the client and family at least every six months, but reviews may be more frequent depending on state regulations. The review is an important process to ensure that the client is receiving the appropriate level of care and is satisfied with the Comfort Keeper who is providing it.

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

During the initial conversation and the in-home visit, the Client Care Coordinator will document the care services required and the client's preferences for a Comfort Keeper match. The Client Care Coordinator then selects the best fit for the client and arranges an introduction between the client, Comfort Keeper, and Coordinator to introduce this new team. During that meeting, everyone reviews the Plan of Care to ensure agreement and understanding of services to be provided.

What if my Comfort Keeper is sick or on vacation?

Each Comfort Keepers at-home care company employs a team of caregivers to ensure there is no interruption to your care if someone is sick or on vacation.  If your Comfort Keeper is unavailable, the Client Care Coordinator will arrange another caregiver and will contact you in advance of the change. The Client Care Coordinator will also introduce the interim caregiver and review your Plan of Care with them prior to service. Our goal is to ensure that services are provided as expected. Your safety and security are a top priority.

What are ADLs and IADLs?

Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) describe basic tasks essential for day-to-day functioning. These include tasks such as bathing, dressing, grooming, eating, mobility, and toileting. Many seniors who require help with such activities are largely independent but may require help with one or two ADLs. In some cases, intermittent help from a family member or friend may be sufficient. However, at times when family or friends are unavailable and scheduling these activities is critical, informal arrangements may not suffice. This is where a care aide can make a life-changing difference.

Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs) are those activities that are less basic than the traditional ADLs. IADLs, nevertheless, 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. Our at-home care company offers an array of companionship and care services to assist our clients with the IADLs. 

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If you have any additional questions regarding Comfort Keepers or what our at-home care company can provide for you and your loved one in Plymouth, Canton, and the surrounding area, contact us today by clicking one of the buttons below.