Questions and Answers

• Q: Will insurance pay for personal home care services?
  _A: While your regular health plan insurance such as Medicare, HMO, or supplement generally does not provide coverage for non-medically necessary home care, there are many other options to help cover the costs. Those options include long-term care insurance, Veterans (VA) benefits (not only for the veteran, but also for the spouse or surviving spouse), and Medicaid long-term care. Senior Nannies can accept payments from all long-term care policies and we are able to assist with obtaining Veterans and/or Medicaid benefits.
• Q: What if the caregiver provided is not compatible with me or my loved one?_A: We strive to match the most appropriate caregiver(s) for every home care client on Day 1 of services. We do this through an extensive consultation with you, your loved one, and one of our Senior Care Account Executives to fully understand and documents the circumstances and objective caregiver preferences. The details of that meeting will then be used a Senior Nannies referral coordinator dedicated to working with you and your loved one to schedule in-person caregiver interviews with you so you can select the most compatible individual to begin providing the care. We fully understand that there still may be a time when you need another referral. If that occurs, you always have the right at any time to terminate the care provider referred to you, and to request another referral at no cost. Remember, you are the Boss!
• Q: Do you require background checks for the caregivers you refer?_A: Absolutely. As a licensed Nurse Registry we strictly follow the requirements set forth by the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration to ensure that the caregivers we refer do not have a criminal record. We obtain Level 2 background results prior to referring any caregiver to a client. In addition to the collection of background results, we also assure that each caregiver is qualified to provide home care by verifying state certified nursing assistant (CNA) licensure, home health aide (HHA) training completion, RN, LPN, CPR training, and other continuing education training. Our recruiting team also receives both professional and personal references for each caregiver.
• Q: During what hours am I able to reach a referral coordinator?_A: Senior Nannies Care Coordination is available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week by clicking here. Our official office hours are 8:30 am to 5:30 pm, Monday to Friday, but after hours and on weekends and holidays there is always a referral coordinator who is available to assist.
• Q: What is a home caregiver/private duty aide expected to do for me or my loved one?_A: Every home care client’s needs are different. Therefore, you and your caregiver can develop a plan for you. Your caregiver requests may include, but are not limited to, bathing, dressing, transferring and mobility, using the bathroom, preparing meals, light housekeeping, laundry, linen changes, transportation, shopping, and companionship. It should be noted that no Care Plan is set in stone. Your participation with the caregiver is key to managing your care. You are the boss!
• Q: Do I have to sign a contract?_A: We do have a service agreement but no contract. There is no minimum term when using our caregiver referral services.
• Q: How much will I pay for care?_A: The cost of care is determined by multiple factors including level of care, location of service, number of hours requested, and type of care professional being sent. You and your care provider will determine the care provider’s pay rate. On average caregivers charge around $15 per hour.
• Q: During what hours am I able to reach a referral coordinator?_A: A live Senior Nannies staff member can help you with service 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
• Q: How do I choose a caregiver?_A: Senior Nannies can set up interviews with prescreened candidates matched through our thorough and extremely effective 5-Star Perfect Match Guarantee process so you can meet with the caregivers ahead of time and choose which one you would like to have in your home.
• Q: Will Senior Nannies accept payments from my long-term care (LTC) insurance?_A: Yes, we accept payments from all major long-term care insurance plans, and we can assist you in understanding your benefits under the plans.
• Q: What levels of caregivers do you refer?_A: We can refer home health aides (HHAs), certified nurse assistants (CNAs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), and registered nurses (RNs).
• Q: What is the difference between an HHA and a CNA?_A: Under Florida Law, a home health aide (HHA) is a trained professional who provides non-medical home care services. HHAs’ primary activities include assistance with personal care—basic activities of daily living (ADLs) such as bathing, grooming, dressing and mobility—and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) such as home maintenance, meal preparation, shopping and transportation. A Certified nursing assistant (CNA) assists with health care needs and cares for a patient who is ill or recovering from a surgery or disease. CNAs duties are assigned by a registered professional nurse. Sometimes they provide service on activities of daily living, bedside care, including basic nursing procedures under the supervision of a registered nurse. A CNA is a person who has successfully completed a training program or course with a curriculum prescribed by the state in which s/he resides. Classes for CNA are conducted by a nurse or certified instructor in a community college or nursing home. Upon completion of classes, a certificate will be awarded. Later, upon qualifying the state certification exam, they become a CNA.