Whether due to advanced age, cognitive impairment, illness or injury, most people will eventually need some form of in-home care and assistance.

Fortunately, our community has numerous in-home care professionals that specialize in providing screened, bonded and insured in-home caregivers. Eager to assist families in need, they're also dedicated to ensuring the safest and highest quality care giving.

The most desired caregiver relationship is not rooted in affordability, punctuality, timely medication administration, or cheerily-plumped pillows.

"It's about accountability," said Myles McNamara, Comfort Keepers In-home Care owner and a certified senior advisor. (Certified senior advisors, or CSAs, have an advanced and formally-recognized comprehension of the health, financial and social needs of seniors.)

Accountability begins with caregivers having specialized training and on-going supervision, as well as Workers' Compensation and 24-hour care management availability, McNamara said, noting that without this, significant problems can arise - including expensive penalties and legal battles.

"When bringing in an independent contractor or someone privately to work in your home, you, by law, become their employer. Therefore, you must deduct and submit payroll taxes, including disability and unemployment insurance. You must also declare such items on your annual tax returns, signed under the penalty of perjury, for which there is no statute of limitations," McNamara explained.

Should violations be discovered, the back payments, interest, fines and legal fees could seriously impact one's estate.

And if a worker gets injured while performing care duties? The person who hired them is responsible for medical expenses.

Additionally, without a complete criminal background search, a dangerous predator could harm your loved one - and their assets.

With more than 550 franchised locations across the globe, Comfort Keepers offers in-home companionship, meal preparation, transportation to appointments and other commitments, light housekeeping and more.

"We're dedicated to enriching clients' lives and helping them maintain the highest possible level of independent living," McNamara added.

What the geriatric community really wants is better health, less disability, and to be fully alive and functionally independent for as long as they live, says Tom Christensen, CSA of Santa Clarita Valley Homemakers & Personal Attendants.

"While aging may mean changes physiologically, aging does not have to mean that one cannot enjoy the achievements of being a complete human being," said Christensen.
Homemakers helps clients reach for these goals through their team of senior advisors, skilled nurses, trained homemakers and personal attendants.
In addition, Christensen said, skilled nursing professionals are on-call 24/7 to ensure the patient's in-home needs are uniquely met during difficult situations that cannot be handled by non-skilled personnel.

"A skilled nurse is available for initial evaluations and assessments with continued home visits at no cost to the patient," he stated.

Christensen also notes his company provides: rehabilitation consultation; evaluation of home and equipment safety; education needs of patients and family members; monitoring and setting up of weekly medications; coordinating with community services, medical services, therapies and more.

"The skills, personality and character of the caregiver need to be evaluated to ensure a good relationship based on trust," said Geneva Knoles, Director of Visiting Angels of Santa Clarita, Senior Homecare by Angels.

Knoles, whose company provides "in-home assistance with activities and tasks for keeping seniors safe and comfortable in their own homes," says caregivers must be thoroughly screened and selected, and come with employer and personal references. A caregiver's experience must also match the client's needs, she said.

Among critical factors when considering an in-home hire, Knoles suggests asking: What is the experience of the company owners and supervisors? (Request references!) What protection is afforded for caregivers working in my home? Does the company provide bonding, liability, and Workers' Comp? What is the procedure to request schedule changes or cancel service? What happens if the caregiver is ill? How are caregivers monitored and supervised?

Visiting Angels offers a wide range of services to those requiring assistance, from "once per week with grocery shopping and doctor visits to people who benefit from assistance 24 hours per day, or respite care for families caring for aged or disabled family members," Knoles said.

An effective way to minimize costly bills associated with in-home care is through purchasing long-term care insurance (LTCi) before you need it, says Helene Lederman, of CIS Insurance Services.

Unfortunately, though, many people who inquire about LTCi - which assists in providing care and protecting assets - discover it's too late to get that coverage.

"LTCi is something that must be researched and applied for before there is a need," Lederman said.

For More Information...
CIS Insurance 799-2730
Comfort Keepers 287-4200
www.comfortkeepers.com
Santa Clarita Valley Homemakers & Personal Attendants 298-5010, 264-4700
www.homemakersandattendants.com
Visiting Angels 263-2273
www.visitingangels.com