What to know about home care

Since 1996, the award-winning agency Assisted Living Services Inc. (ALS) in Westport, Cheshire and Putnam, has provided home care to residents across Connecticut, which has 900,000 senior citizens. Its CarePlus program blends personal care by more than 700 employees and caregivers with technological safety and monitoring devices from sister company Assisted Living Technologies Inc. ALS was ranked on the 2020 Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing companies and recognized by Home Care Pulse as a “Best of Home Care Leader In Excellence,” a designation given to the best home-care providers in the nation.  

“My parents were like most families, starting from square one when seeking care for my great- grandfather,” said Mario D’Aquila, MBA and chief operating officer of the family-owned business. “They were inspired to create a quality home-care solution that they were unable to find at the time.” 

D’Aquila shared the top 10 questions most families ask when first contacting ALS: 

1. What services are offered in nonmedical home care? It includes assistance with activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing, meal preparation, medication reminders, light housekeeping and companionship. Typically, home care is divided into two options – hourly care and live-in care.
2. How does nonmedical home care differ from medical home care? Nonmedical home care focuses on providing assistance with daily tasks and companionship, while medical home care involves skilled medical services provided by licensed health-care professionals.
3. What qualifications do caregivers have? Caregivers may have certifications in caregiving, undergo background checks and receive specific training in areas like dementia and Alzheimer’s care.
4. How are caregivers selected and trained? Caregivers are selected based on qualifications, experience and compatibility with the client’s needs. They undergo training to ensure they can provide quality care and meet the client’s preferences.
5. What safety measures are in place for clients? They may include caregiver background checks, safety assessments of the home environment and protocols for emergencies.
6. What is the cost of nonmedical home care? The cost of nonmedical home care varies depending on factors such as location, level of care needed and hours of service. It is often paid for out-of-pocket, through long-term care insurance, VA (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs) benefits or Medicaid waiver programs.  D’Aquila said families should try to use these:

Medicaid-funded home and community-based programs – “Some of our clients will do a ‘spend down’ of their personal savings until they qualify for a Medicaid-funded program to help them ‘age-in-place’ in their homes. Assisted Living Services Inc. has been a credentialled provider with the Connecticut Home Care Program for Elders (CHCPE), which can be helpful in making this transition seamless.”  

Adult Family Living – Relatives or friends can get paid for caring for a loved one themselves. There are four different levels of care that depend on the complexity of care needed. When a referral is made to Social Services, a professional will come to your home for an assessment and help determine eligibility and care level. The Adult Family Living caregiver receives a nontaxable stipend based upon the approved level of care. As a credentialed provider, ALS pays a tax-free stipend of up to $563.50 per week / $29,302 per year.  

Veterans programs – The Veterans Aid and Attendance Benefit and Housebound allowance may be available to veterans and/or spouses who qualify. D’Aquila recommended that families obtain the services of an elder-law attorney to assist with the application process. (See related story on Page 11.) 

Long-term care insurance – Said D’Aquila: “If you have long-term care insurance, you may be eligible for benefits if you cannot perform certain ‘activities of daily living,’ or suffer from dementia or other cognitive impairment. Although our services are generally approved by most long-term care plans, we are not able to guarantee the extent to which our services will be covered under any insurance plan.” 

7. How are care plans customized for individual needs? This is done through assessments and ongoing communication with the client and the family. “Assisted Living Services Inc. is the first and only agency in Connecticut to develop a program called CarePlus, which blends both care and technology to better serve the state’s elderly and disabled population,” said D’Aquila. “This innovative personal care technology is a great tool that can be used to improve safety and quality of life for people aging in place.”
8. What is the process for assessing and reassessing care needs? These are assessed initially by ALS with a free in-home visit and checklist. The plan should be reassessed periodically to ensure that it remains appropriate and effective. “A comprehensive care plan is not “one and done,” said D’Aquila. “As the client’s needs change, so, too, does the optimal level of personal and technological support.”
9. How flexible are scheduling options? Nonmedical home-care agencies typically offer scheduling options to accommodate clients’ needs and preferences.
10. How is communication maintained among caregivers, clients and families? Agencies should maintain open communication channels through regular updates, care coordination meetings and accessible support staff.