Gentle Homecare FAQs

— Liz F.

1.   Do I need a Registered Nurse, Certified Nurse Aide or a Homemaker/Companion?
2.   What are medication reminders?
3.   Does Medicare pay for private-duty services like a live-in or hourly companion?
4.   Does private insurance pay for these services?
5.   What does light housekeeping mean?
6.   What is your screening for new employees?
7.   How much notice do you need to staff a new case?
8.   Am I responsible for feeding the caregivers?
9.   What do you mean by a bonded agency?
10. What service area do you cover?

1. Do I need a Registered Nurse, Certified Nurse Aide or a Homemaker/Companion?
In most cases, a registered nurse is not needed for a person to remain in their home. A Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) can assist a patient with any personal care needed. They can also check vital signs and provide medication reminders. Companions perform all the same services, other than taking vitals.

2. What are medication reminders?
A CNA or companion is not allowed to pour or dispense medications. However, if a client is unable to remember when it is time to take their medications, an aide can remind them and assure that they are taking the right pills from a pre-poured pill box.

3. Does Medicare pay for private-duty services like a live-in or hourly companion?
Unfortunately, Medicare does not pay for these services. Medicare does not pay for any type of custodial care or extended hours of care.

4. Does private insurance pay for these services?
In most cases, the answer is no. Most insurance policies do not have a provision for home care. However, that is what long-term care insurance is all about. Most long-term care policies do have a home care benefit. Most companies require that the agency be a state-licensed facility and that the employee is a CNA. In some instances, they will also require an order from the insured’s physician stating that they need assistance with 2 or more activities of daily living. Ask us about long term care insurance.
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5. W hat does light housekeeping mean?
Part of a nurse aide's or companion's job description is to provide light housekeeping. They do not in any way take the place of a cleaning service, but they will prepare and clean up after meals, dust and vacuum if needed, make beds and do laundry for their patient/client.
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6. What is your screening for new employees?
Any new employee has to undergo an extensive screening process. We first insist that the perspective new employees have at least two years of home health care experience. They must also have three verifiable references. We also check their criminal background as well as their driving record. They are given a written exam to test their knowledge. In addition all employees must partake in our own in-house orientation. Above all, we look for someone with a positive attitude that has a desire to do this kind of very personal and meaningful work. (For employment opportunities click here)
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7. How much notice do you need to staff a new case?
The more notice we have, the better. However, it is not uncommon for a family to be given 24-hour notice that a patient is being discharged from the hospital or nursing home. In most cases, we can still help. Our staffing coordinators are very good despite short notice, and they will make every effort to assist you.
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8. Am I responsible for feeding the caregivers?
If you have a caregiver in your home for more than eight hours a day, then it is your responsibility to provide food for them. This does not in any way mean that it is your responsibility to cook for them. Each caregiver is able to prepare your meals if you wish, as well as to prepare their own meals. Caregivers can also prepare special dietary restricted or kosher meals.
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9. It also says in your literature that your agency is bonded, can you explain what that means?
Although we make every effort possible to ensure that there is never a problem, our agency and all of our employees are covered under a bond. The bond protects our clients in the event that one of our caregivers is convicted of stealing from a client.
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10. What service area do you cover?
Currently we cover the entire city of Chicago and all of the surrounding suburbs. We have offices in Deerfield, Wheeling and Palatine, Illinois and we are continuously expanding.
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