Frequently Asked Questions

In many cases, we can start care within 24-48 hours of your initial call, depending on your needs and caregiver availability. For urgent situations (hospital discharge, emergency respite), we prioritize rapid placement. For non-urgent care, we typically begin within 3-5 days to allow time for a thorough assessment and caregiver matching.

Our minimum is typically 3-4 hours per visit for hourly care. This ensures caregivers have enough time to provide quality, unhurried care and makes visits cost-effective. For overnight care, the minimum is usually 8 hours. Live-in care requires a minimum commitment (typically 5 days per week). We're flexible and can discuss your specific situation during your consultation.

Private Pay: We accept cash, check, and credit card payments for private-pay clients.

Long-Term Care Insurance: Many long-term care insurance policies cover home care services. We can work directly with your insurance provider and help you file claims.

Medicaid Waiver Programs: We participate in select Pennsylvania Medicaid waiver programs (such as the Aging Waiver and OBRA Waiver) for eligible clients. Eligibility requirements and availability vary—contact us to discuss your situation.

Veterans Benefits: VA Aid & Attendance benefits may cover some or all home care costs for eligible veterans and surviving spouses. We can help you navigate the application process.

Note: Traditional Medicare does not typically cover non-medical home care services like personal care and companion care, but Medicare Advantage plans may offer some coverage.

Our services include:

• Personal Care (ADLs): Bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, mobility assistance, feeding support
• Companion Care: Conversation, meal preparation, light housekeeping, laundry, medication reminders, errands, transportation
• Specialized Care: Dementia/Alzheimer's care, post-surgery recovery support, fall prevention, chronic condition management
• Safety Supervision: Monitoring for falls, wandering prevention, emergency response

We do not provide skilled nursing services (injections, wound care, IV therapy). For medical care, we can coordinate with visiting nurses or recommend home health agencies.

Absolutely. Every caregiver undergoes:

• Criminal background checks (state and federal)
• Pennsylvania Abuse Registry clearances (child and elder abuse)
• Reference verification from previous employers
• Skills assessment and competency testing
• Ongoing training in safety, communication, and best practices

We also carry general liability insurance and workers' compensation coverage for your protection and peace of mind.

We understand how important reliability is. If your regular caregiver is unable to work due to illness or emergency, we have backup caregivers available to cover the shift. We notify you as soon as possible and send a qualified replacement who is familiar with your loved one's care plan. Our goal is to ensure there's no gap in care.

We take matching seriously. During your initial assessment, we learn about your loved one's personality, preferences, medical needs, hobbies, and routines. We then select caregivers based on:

• Personality compatibility: Quiet vs. outgoing, sense of humor, communication style
• Experience: Dementia training, mobility assistance skills, dietary restrictions
• Schedule alignment: Availability that matches your needs
• Language and cultural preferences: We strive to honor cultural and language needs when possible

If the match isn't working, we'll reassign a different caregiver at no extra charge.

Yes! Care needs don't stop on weekends or holidays. We provide 24/7 care options including:

• Overnight care (8-12 hour shifts)
• Weekend shifts
• Holiday coverage
• Live-in care (round-the-clock)

Holiday and overnight rates may differ slightly from standard daytime hourly rates. We'll provide transparent pricing during your consultation.

Absolutely. Care needs often change over time—sometimes you need more hours, sometimes fewer. We're flexible and can increase or decrease services with reasonable notice (typically 48-72 hours). We encourage regular communication so we can adapt the care plan as your situation evolves.

Home Care (Non-Medical): We provide personal care, companion services, and assistance with daily living activities. Caregivers are not licensed nurses but are trained in caregiving best practices.

Home Health Care (Medical): Home health agencies provide skilled nursing services (wound care, IV therapy, injections, physical therapy) by licensed nurses and therapists. It requires a doctor's order and is often covered by Medicare.

Many families use both—home health for medical needs and home care for daily support. We can coordinate with home health agencies to ensure seamless care.

Costs vary based on:

• Level of care needed (personal care vs. companion care)
• Hours per week
• Shift type (daytime, overnight, live-in)
• Caregiver qualifications (CNA, specialized dementia training)

Typical hourly rates in Scranton range from $20-$30+ per hour. Live-in care is typically a flat daily rate. We provide a detailed, transparent quote after your free assessment. Call us at (272) 228-1157 to discuss your specific needs and budget.

No. We do not require long-term contracts. Most of our clients prefer month-to-month agreements with flexibility to adjust or cancel services as needed. We believe care should be based on trust and quality, not contractual obligation.