Frequently Asked Questions about Adult in Home Care Services in Vancouver, WA, and surrounding areas
The most popular asked questions regarding adult in home care services for seniors in Vancouver, WA
What is adult in home care and how does it differ from home healthcare?
In its most accurate meaning, home care refers to any care (medical or non-medical) that is provided for the client in their home. However, there has been a slight shift in terminology in recent years. While adult in-home care help services can describe medical and non-medical care, typically "home care" refers to non-medical care such as companionship/homemaking and personal care services. In contrast "home healthcare" refers to providing skilled nursing care and other care such as speech, physical or occupational therapy.
What services does Comfort Keepers® provide?
Comfort Keepers provides companionship 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 personal care services such as bathing, grooming, hygiene, mobility assistance, transferring and positioning, toileting and incontinence and feeding/special diet assistance. Some offices provide Dementia/Alzheimer’s care and in-home safety technology solutions. Our adult in home care services vary by state and office.
How are Comfort Keepers® selected?
Each caregiver, special people we call Comfort Keepers, is an employee carefully screened and trained before caring for a client. Each must undergo a rigorous process including national and local criminal background checks, DMV, and personal and professional reference checks. All Comfort Keepers are bonded, insured, and covered by Workers’ Compensation insurance for our clients’ peace-of-mind. We strive to hire the best caregivers to become Comfort Keepers, because we only hire people we would want caring for a member of our own family.
How much does in-home care cost?
Each Comfort Keepers adult in home care office is independently owned and operated. We encourage you to contact your local office directly at (360) 687-0025 for a complete list of products and services available and the rates for your area.
Are services available 24 hours, 7 days a week?
Yes. Adult in home care services are available for as little as a few hours a visit up to 24 hours, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
Do you provide services to those in nursing homes or assisted living communities?
Yes. Comfort Keepers can provide companionship or personal care to assisted living and nursing home residents who may desire additional attention or personalized care.
Is there a written plan of care for each client? Is it modified and if so, how often?
The local Comfort Keepers office develops an individualized and completely confidential Plan of Care for each client. The purpose is to document the care services needed and when the client would like to initiate care. Once the client, family members, and local office agree on the Plan of Care, the office staff will use that information to recommend the Comfort Keeper delivering the service, establish the schedule and agree to the monitoring and communication.
Plans of Care are reviewed with the client and family at least every six months, but may be more frequent based on state regulations. The review is necessary to ensure the client receives the appropriate level of care and is pleased with the Comfort Keeper providing the care.
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 services required and the client's preferences for a Comfort Keeper match. Then, the Client Care Coordinator selects the best caregiver fit for the client and will arrange an introduction between the client, Comfort Keeper, and Coordinator to introduce each new team member. During that meeting, all parties review the Plan of Care to ensure everyone agrees and understands what adult in home care services will be provided.
What if my Comfort Keeper is sick or on vacation?
Each Comfort Keepers office employs a team of caregivers from the Vancouver, WA area so that your care service will not be interrupted if someone gets sick or goes on vacation. If your Comfort Keeper is unavailable, the Client Care Coordinator will arrange another caregiver and contact you before the change. The Client Care Coordinator will also introduce the interim caregiver to you and review your Plan of Care with the interim caregiver before service. We aim to ensure that your in home help services are as expected. Your safety and security are a top priority.
What are ADLs and IADLs?
Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) include the basic tasks essential for day-to-day functioning, such as bathing, dressing, grooming, eating, mobility and toileting. Many seniors who require help with such activities are mainly independent but may require help with one or two ADLs. In some cases, intermittent help from a family member or friend may be all that is needed. However, in many cases, mainly when family or friends are unavailable, and the importance of scheduling these activities is critical, informal care arrangements may not be adequate.
Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs) are considered those activities which are less fundamental than the traditional ADLs. IADLs are essential in enhancing a client’s quality of life. IADLs include shopping, paying bills, cleaning, doing the laundry, and preparing meals. Many seniors require assistance with IADLs rather than ADLs. Some seniors want someone to escort them when shopping and help them avoid situations that might cause them to fall. Other seniors may welcome assistance with their bill paying and medical appointments. Comfort Keepers offers an array of companionship and homemaking adult in home care services to assist our clients with the IADLs. Please get in touch with Comfort Keepers in Vancouver, WA for more information: (360) 687-0025.
