Private Care FAQ’s

Private In Home Care

FAQ’s

I have questions – is there a real person I can speak with?

Absolutely. A Family Tree home care expert is available to speak with you at any time. Just call us today to reach a live home care expert. We’re honored to guide you and your family, and can even arrange a complementary in-person consultation in your home. View Locations

How quickly can you have a qualified Caregiver in my home?

At times, the need for a professional Caregiver may be unexpected and urgent. While we recommend allowing a few days to ensure we have the best personality match for your loved one for a successful long-term, consistent relationship, we are routinely able to accommodate a same-day request. Some restrictions may apply.

Does my loved one need an in-home Caregiver?

Determining whether or not your loved one needs assistance at home may be challenging. Nearly all clients are initially resistant to getting help from a caregiver, but within a few weeks, our clients and Caregivers become fast friends and couldn’t imagine life without one another. You may hesitate to suggest that your love one needs the extra help, but this may be doing more harm than good. Rather than limiting your loved one’s freedoms, home care can help them improve their independence and quality of life. If your loved one is having difficulty caring for their basic needs, finances, or housework, they may be ready for an in-home Caregiver.

When Home Care Services May Be Appropriate

What is the difference between Home Health & Home Care?

“Home Health” services are not the same as personal “Home Care” assistance. Insurance/Medicare-provided Home Health services are specific skilled services that require a physician’s order. These “Home Health” services include wound care, physical therapy and occupational therapy, and are limited to the specific services and duration of care approved by the physician’s order. Personal “Home Care” assistance involves private, customized services that are typically paid for through private pay, long-term care insurance, or veterans benefits. Home Care includes fully customizable activities of daily living up to 24 hours per day with absolutely no physician’s order required. Activities of daily living services include help around the house, transportation, bathing, meal preparation, and medication assistance.

Do I need a physician’s order for Private Nursing Services from Family Tree?

Yes, in order to best serve our private nursing clients, we work in close consultation with your physician to ensure consistency and quality in your care plan. As a matter of best practice, we always ensure our care plans are in compliance with your physician’s order. Our nursing team will coordinate this on your behalf and work to ensure you’re satisfied with your individualized care plan, creating a truly concierge private nursing experience. Learn more.

WHAT IS A CARE MANAGER AND DO I NEED ONE?

A Care Manager is a highly educated expert in aging that dedicates themselves to you and your family on an hourly basis to provide life coordination services, much like a surrogate family member. A care manager is similar to a “general contractor” for your loved one’s life, managing all elements of care and coordination with third party providers such as hospitals, insurance companies, doctors, home health providers, hospice services, home care providers, elder law attorneys, trust officers, wealth managers, tax planners, household services, and much more. Our team of care managers include RNs, Masters in Gerontology, Masters in Social Work, and other experts in resources for older adults and people living with disabilities. Learn More.

What is Long-Term Care Insurance and can I use it to pay for care?

Yes. Long-Term Care Insurance is a plan (more akin to a life insurance policy than a health insurance plan) that differs from health insurance. Long-Term Care Insurance plans typically cover care when the insured individual either (1) has a diagnosis of cognitive impairment or (2) is unable to perform two of the six activities of daily living (ADLs) such as dressing, bathing, eating, toileting, continence, transferring (getting in and out of a bed or chair), and walking. Family Tree is pleased to offer in-house services to assist you in managing your Long-Term Care Insurance claims, reducing stress and burden. To learn more about Long-Term Care Insurance click here.

HOW DO YOU SUPERVISE YOUR CAREGIVERS?

Our model of care ensures that Family Tree caregivers and clients are not left on an island without support. Our team-based approach provides every client with a care team including your choice of a registered nurse or a senior care expert to manage the care, all in collaboration with a care coordinator. Our care team conducts routine supervisory visits and random quality assurance check-ins to ensure our Family Tree standards of excellence are being adhered to. All Family Tree care providers are W-2 employees, never independent contractors.

HOW DO I KNOW A SHIFT WAS COMPLETE?

Family Tree uses an advanced real-time caregiver monitoring system to verify time, attendance, and tasks performed according to the care plan. Our system has geo-fenced technology that does not allow care providers to clock in or clock out of a shift without being within a few feet of the client’s home. This system allows us to closely monitor and confirm care provider attendance in real time. Our system will immediately notify us if a care provider has not clocked in or out of a scheduled shift, allowing us to triage any issues that may have arisen. This allows us to have a written record of services provided and shifts completed within the home. In addition, our itemized invoices are always sent after services are complete. This allows you to ask any questions about time or date of care, and it allows us to make any schedule adjustments before your invoice is sent.

Do I need to sign a contract?

There is no long-term contract. In order to begin services, clients are required to sign a Client Service Agreement which describes our guidelines and policies, but services may be started and stopped at any time and for any reason.

WHERE DO YOU PROVIDE SERVICES?

Family Tree Private Care operates throughout the largest metropolitan areas of Texas and Colorado. We have proudly invested in local team members to handle all aspects of care, from vetting and managing care providers to servicing our clients and their families. We have multiple local offices in order to properly support these locals teams and service the entire metro areas of each city we serve. So whether you’re in Spring, TX or Golden CO, Family Tree is ready to serve you and your family. View our office locations here.

FAMILY TREE SEEMS LIKE A GOOD FIT FOR MY NEEDS. HOW DO I START SERVICES?

Give us a call or fill out an inquiry form. From there, we’ll arrange a time to visit you, your family and/or any authorized representative to fully discuss your particular home care needs (home care Denver, Austin, Boulder, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio, The Woodlands) and how Family Tree Private Care can help. We will go over the care your family needs and the care we provide. We’ll answer all of your questions regarding in-home care services and costs. Then, we’ll begin putting together a customized care plan and matching your loved one with the right care team. Contact us here.