Frequently asked questions
What is home care and how does it differ from home healthcare?
Home care refers to any type of care (medical or non-medical) that is provided for the client in their home. In recent years, however, there has been a slight shift in terminology. While home care can be used to describe both medical and non-medical care, typically "home care" refers to non-medical care such as companionship/homemaking services and personal care services, while "home healthcare" refers to the provision of skilled nursing care and other care such as speech, physical or occupational therapy. Comfort Keepers' core services fall within the scope of home care services.
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, and respite care. We also provide personal care services such as bathing, grooming, and hygiene, mobility assistance, transferring and positioning assistance, toileting and incontinence care and feeding/special diet assistance. We also provide Dementia/Alzheimer's care and care for persons with disabilities.
How are Comfort Keepers selected?
Each caregiver, special people we call Comfort Keepers, is an employee who is carefully screened and trained before caring for a client. Each must undergo a rigorous process including background checks, and personal and professional reference checks. All Comfort Keepers are insured for our clients’ peace-of-mind. We strive to hire the very best caregivers to become Comfort Keepers, because we only want people we would want caring for a member of our own family in our care team.
How much does in-home care cost?
In-home care cost can be customised according to the needs and requirements of the care recipient and the financial budget of the client, Our Client Care Director will meet with the care recipient in the home environment to assess what is required and advise on the care plan and the cost accordingly. Our charges start from as low as $18 per hour. Please contact us for more information.
Are services available 24 hours, 7 days a week?
Yes. Our services are available for as short as 3 hours for each visit to as long as the care recipient requires. We are available for consultation and to offer assistance 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and even on public holidays.
Do you provide services to those in acute hospitals, community hospitals or nursing homes?
Yes. Comfort Keepers can provide companionship or personal care to patients and residents living in medical institutions and nursing homes 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?
Yes we develop an individualised and completely confidential Plan of Care for each client when we meet with the care recipient in his home environment. The purpose is to document the type of care services needed. Once the client, and family members, and our Client Care Director agree on the Plan of Care, the Case Management Director will use that information to assign the Comfort Keeper who will be delivering the service.
The Plan of Care will be reviewed and changed as soon as modifications are deemed necessary. This will be done in consultation with the care recipient and his family members. The review is an important process to ensure the client is receiving the appropriate level of care at all times 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?
Our Comfort Keepers work in teams and one team will be dedicated to taking care of you. During the initial conversation, our Client Care Director will document the services required and the client's preferences. Based on the information collected, our Case Management Director selects the best caregiver for you and will arrange an introduction for you and your Comfort Keeper. Please contact us for more information.
What if my Comfort Keeper is sick or on vacation?
We adopt a team approach so your care service will not be interrupted if someone gets sick or goes on vacation. If your Comfort Keeper is unavailable, our Case Management Director will arrange for the secondary caregiver to take care of you and will contact you in advance of the change. The secondary caregiver will be familiar with your Plan of Case prior to service. Our goal is to ensure that services are provided as agreed in your Plan of Care. Your well-being, safety and security are our priorities.
What are ADLs and IADLs?