Frequently Asked Questions
The topic of home care can be confusing for anyone newly exploring options, so we’ve provided answers to some common questions below. As always, please contact us if you have additional questions. We would love to hear from you!
General Home Care Questions
What's the difference between home care and home health care?
The term "home care" is usually shorthand for non-medical home care, while "home health" or "home healthcare" refers to in-home medical services.
Non-medical home care companies, like Modern Health Home Care, provide companion and personal care services. These include everything from transportation and meal preparation to bathing and incontinence care.
Home healthcare companies are licensed to provide skilled nursing and other therapeutic services, such as wound care, physical therapy and pharmaceutical services.
Why should I use an agency instead of hiring a caregiver directly?
While using an agency like Modern Health Home Care might cost a little bit more than hiring a caregiver directly, agencies generally provide additional protection for you or your loved one.
-
Modern Health Home Care is licensed as a Private Home Care Provider (PHCP). This means our activities are reviewed and regulated by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS), which sets standards for care, employee training, privacy, reporting and client rights. Be sure any agency you use has this PHCP license.
-
Modern Health Home Care holds a worker's compensation and general liability insurance policies to protect our employees and clients. If you employ a direct caregiver who sustains an injury on the job, you may be liable for his or her care and may find yourself without help while your caregiver recovers.
-
Agencies help ensure you always have the care you need in the event your Caregivers calls in sick, finds another job or otherwise becomes unavailable.
-
Employee tax withholding and payroll taxes become your responsibility if you employ a caregiver directly. Modern Health Home Care processes payroll and taxes through a certified public accountant to ensure we are fully compliant with federal and state laws – one less thing for you to worry about.
-
Finally, Modern Health Home Care conducts extensive background checks and provides ongoing training for our caregivers to ensure they are always prepared to provide exceptional service.
​
​​
Why is companionship important?
Countless studies have shown that social isolation and loneliness cause a steep decline in physical health. Individuals that stay engaged with the world outside of their homes benefit from ongoing mental stimulation and light exercise live longer healthier and happier lives.
​
​
​
​
General Modern Health Home Care Questions
​
What is Modern Health Home Care doing to protect clients from COVID-19?
The safety of our clients, their families and our Caregivers is always our top priority. Modern Health Home Care is operating in compliance with guidelines issued by experts at CDC and WHO, as well as state and federal governments. Our current practices include the following:
​
-
Our Caregivers are washing their hands with increased frequency and always upon entering a client's home, after using the bathroom, after handling trash, before handling food and before leaving a client's home.
-
Our team is provided with masks, gloves and hand sanitizer. They are required to wear a mask and gloves when working with personal care clients and any companion care clients who have specifically requested this extra protection. For other companion care clients, the use of masks and gloves is at the Caregivers' discretion.
-
All Caregivers have been instructed to regularly disinfect frequently touched surfaces, such as doorknobs, refrigerator doors, kitchen counters, etc.
-
Caregivers are required to complete a short questionnaire before every shift to verify that they have not experienced any coronavirus symptoms or been exposed to individuals who have shown symptoms.
-
All shifts now include monitoring clients for signs of the virus, including fever, cough and shortness of breath.
-
All employees have been instructed to advise management immediately if they experience any symptoms or suspect they might have been exposed to the virus – and not report for work in either case.
We also accept new clients and have made adjustments to our initial assessments to minimize any possible risk to prospective clients and our team.
​
​
What areas do you serve?
We are licensed and insured in Pennsylvania and we serve Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery Counties.
​
​
What are your minimum hours?
Modern Health Home Care is all about you and your needs, so we do not have minimum visit durations or minimum hours per week. Any visits lasting less than one hour will be billed for the full hour.
​
​​
Is there a cancellation fee?
While advance notice is always appreciated, we will do our best to accommodate any requested changes as quickly as possible. If you need to cancel a shift after the assigned Caregiver is already en route, you will be charged for one hour of that Caregivers time. Otherwise, there are no cancellation fees or penalties.
Questions About Our Caregivers
​
How do I know I can trust Modern Health Home Care Caregivers?
We go above and beyond standard background checks to ensure we only select the most trustworthy Caregivers to represent Modern Health Home Care.
First, our Management Team interviews every candidate and personally calls references for every individual we hire. Second, we leverage a company called Checkr to perform the most extensive background checks allowable by law. While some agencies opt for less expensive background checks that are limited in scope, ours include data from every county in which an applicant has lived for the past 7 years. Finally, we periodically administer unannounced drug testing to ensure our Caregivers adhere to our clean living policy.
In addition to our selective hiring process, we are fully licensed and insured for your protection.
​
​
What if I don't get along with my assigned Caregivers?
We want to provide you with the best home care experience – period.
​
We expect all of our Caregivers to work well with any client, but we understand that sometimes personalities don't match. You are welcome to request a change at any time for any reason, and we will keep working with you until you are completely satisfied.
​
​
Will the same Caregiver always be assigned to me?
Our goal is to match clients with a singleCaregiver to work all shifts, but this is not always possible. With advance notice and a consistent service schedule, we can typically assign one Caregiver to a given client. In some cases, we need to rotate a couple of Caregiver at first, until a long-term match is identified. In any case, we will provide a smooth and consistent experience for you and your family and will communicate with you about any staffing concerns or changes.
​
​
Questions About Specific Conditions and Services
​
​​
Does Modern Health Home Care provide hospice services?
We do not provide the same services as a hospice provider, but we often care for clients who are also under the care of a hospice team.
​
While hospice companies employ healthcare providers to perform medical oversight, provide nursing care and prescribe medications, Modern Health Home Care provides the personal and companion care that is often required in these palliative care and end-of-life situations. We'll be happy to recommend a hospice provider and work with your preferred company to provide seamless care for your loved one.
​
​
Can you help my loved one in an assisted living facility?
Yes, we do serve clients who live in these types of facilities. While assisted living facilities can provide a great deal of general oversight and address most of their residents' needs, sometimes individuals need a little extra help. Your loved one might temporarily need overnight care or 24-hour monitoring following a hospital stay or just a companion and transportation for a weekly outing. No matter how great or small the need, Modern Health Home Care is here to help.
​
​
Do you provide memory care for individuals with Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia?
Our team has extensive experience caring for individuals with dementia, and Caregiver assigned to affected clients receive specialized training on the topic.
​
If your loved one has mild cognitive impairment, we will bring puzzles and other engaging activities to stimulate his or her brain. For clients in the more advanced stages of dementia, our Caregivers will strive to optimize their quality of life while ensuring their safety and comfort.
