When you have a loved one who is aging or confronting health issues, it can be overwhelming. Rest assured knowing that help is available. Our in-home senior care experts serving the Philadelphia and surrounding areas have the knowledge and experience to assist patients and their families with long term care arrangements, personal issues, and advocacy. Whether you are in the greater Philadelphia area including the Main Line, King of Prussia, Chester or Delaware County, we are here to guide you in the right direction. Reach out for a FREE consultation to get the help you need.
Should I Hire a Care Manager?
A Care Manager is a health and human services professional who acts as a guide, advocate and resource for families caring for older relatives, people facing chronic illnesses, and persons with disabilities. As Care Managers we help families not only navigate the health care and long-term-care fields, but also help them manage their resources. We help determine care needs, where this care should take place, and what needs to happen for a successful outcome.
Care Managers can be hired to provide a one-time comprehensive assessment and care plan, ongoing care management, facility placement, or a one-time consultation. We also work with individuals who have a Special Needs Trust to direct the care and the expenditure of funds. We work within the framework of the trust and protect its integrity.
Please visit the Aging Life Care Association website to learn more about how working with care management professionals like our team could help you and your loved ones.
What ages do you serve?
Currently, our clients range in age from 14 to 101. Complete Care Strategies began predominately as a senior care company. Over the years we have expanded our practice to include a younger population. As we work with trust officers who manage Special Needs Trusts, the MS Society, or those facing cancer treatment, for example, our practice has shifted to encompass various populations.
Can I hire your company for Care Management only?
Care Management services stand alone independently of our Home Care division. Many of our clients, which include families, attorneys and trust officers, choose only Care Management services, but every Home Care client automatically receives Care Management.
Do you provide services for those in nursing homes or assisted-care communities?
Yes. We provide one-on-one attention to clients, wherever they call home. Our oversight allows families to know how things are going and if the facility is providing the best care. We become the family’s “eyes and ears,” which is particularly important if you live far away from your loved one. We can interface with physicians and staff and participate in care conference meetings to represent the client’s best interests.
What makes Complete Care Strategies different from other home care providers?
Complete Care Strategies is owned and operated by professional geriatric care managers: Beverly Bernstein Joie, MS, and Dolores Tracey Magid, M.ED. Our team of experts includes Social Workers, Dementia Care Specialists, Nurses and Counselors to oversee the care of every client. Many team members are Certified Geriatric Care Managers. In our integrated approach to care, we work in concert to maximize the health and quality of life for our clients.
How do you select your home caregivers?
In-home caregivers, who are selected by our Director of Home Care Operations, are required to have a minimum of two years of experience and must present two references. They receive a criminal background check and undergo TB testing and a physical. The interview process includes competency testing and a vigorous interview. Only 1 out of 7 interviews leads to employment. Each employee has workers’ compensation insurance, liability insurance and is bonded.
How do you train the caregivers?
We conduct mandatory ongoing training in our office, and a Licensed Nurse conducts onsite supervision and offers support. Caregivers are tested yearly on various subjects related to care.
How do you make sure that each caregiver is doing a good job?
A nurse makes monthly supervisory visits to each client. We keep in touch with families to let them know how the home care is working. When changes need to be made or if the current plan is no longer viable, families are provided with an alternative plan of care. We pride ourselves on follow-up and communication.
Should I hire a caregiver on my own?
You could, and it is a fact that it is usually less expensive to hire someone through word of mouth or the newspaper. We understand that finances must be protected, but please consider the following:
- Independent caregivers are typically not licensed, bonded, or insured.
- They do not have workers’ compensation insurance.
- If they are unable to work, they do not arrange for a replacement for themselves.
- There is no supervision.
- There is no criminal background check.
- The IRS may have questions unless taxes are withheld.
- Many long-term-care insurance companies will not pay for an independent caregiver.
What does your Home Care provide for me?
Your in-home caregiver is our employee. Our multidisciplinary team is available 24/7 to provide support, coaching and suggestions for successful care. We are responsible if there is a need for a staffing change or if a caregiver is late or does not show up. It is our responsibility to make sure that the client-caregiver match is a good one.
Contact Us Today
Complete Care Strategies is here to answer all of your questions about home senior care, elder care management and personal care for patients of all ages. If you still have additional questions please give us a call at 610-265-4300 or fill out the form below to reach one of our care management specialists today. Serving the Philadelphia area including Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery Counties, Complete Care Strategies offers a host of additional resources for you to get your loved one the care they need.