FAQ’s
OUR MOST COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: How do you select your Care Giver?
A: All of our Care Givers have successfully completed a thorough criminal, credit, and driving record background screen and employment reference check. We then hand-select the most qualified staff member for each of our client’s specific needS.
Q. How do you train your employees?
A: Every care giver participates in our initial training and continues with our onsite training visits. This program covers the most practical topics and situations encountered in home care. The employees are supervised in the client home every 3 months and/or as needed.
Q: What happens if my caregiver gets sick?
A: If your caregiver is sick, another is normally available to fill in. We are on call 24 hours 7 days per week to assist with these issues.
Q: Does Medicare or Medicaid pay for you service?
A: Yes There is a government program called the HCBS (Home Community Base Services Program), that can assist with the cost for these services thru Colorado’s Long Term Care http://www.cdphe.state.co.us/hf/index.htmldicaid. Medicare does not pay for non-medical companion care. Services can be paid for by the client, long-term care insurance companies, workers’ compensation insurance companies, and some private insurance companies.
Q: Who pays the Care Giver - me or you?
A: We do. Shared Touch, Inc. handles all employee expenses, payroll, state and federal taxes, liability insurance, workers’ compensation insurance, and administrative responsibilities.
Q: "What are your rates and minimum hours of service?
A: Please call for specific rate information. 303-261-1110
Q: Why should I use Shared Touch, Inc. rather than paying someone directly?
A: There are several reasons why Shared Touch, Inc. should be your premier choice for home care. We offer a compatibility guarantee all care givers are thoroughly screened, trained, and insured. We always strive to maintain the highest level of continuity for each client.
Q: Do you provide care for the elderly in assisted living facilities, hospitals or nursing homes?
A: There are several reasons why Shared Touch, Inc. should be your premier choice for home care. We offer a compatibility guarantee all caregivers are thoroughly screened, trained, and insured. We always strive to maintain the highest level of continuity for each client.
Q: Is Shared Touch, Inc. a cleaning service?
A: No, our focus is always on the health, safety, and comfort of the clients. However, we do offer light housekeeping, laundry, linen changing, dusting, and tidying.
Q: What kind of services do you provide?
A: Companion care and personal care services are designed to take over or assist in the activities that the elderly & disabled need to be able to stay at home safely and with dignity. These may include fall prevention, medication, and fluids reminders, light housekeeping, grooming or bathing assistance, and running errands.
Q: What does the term 'aging in place' mean?
A: This refers to the ability of any person to grow old in their own home or that of their family. It is the opposite of institutional residential care like a nursing home. Sometimes it may mean the ability, with extra help, to stay in an assisted living facility as well.
Q: Do you actually provide services within assisted living facilities?
A: Yes. People sometimes discover that the assistance provided in an assisted living facility is not enough to enable them to remain independent. In these cases, Shared Touch provides a person to make this possible. In some states, you are allowed to hire private help in an assisted living facility – or nursing home for that matter.
Q: How does the cost of Shared Touch, Inc. compare with assisted living or nursing home care?
A: The average Shared Touch, Inc. service runs about 1/3 the cost of an Assisted Living Facility and less than ¼ of what the skilled facility would cost.
Q: Can this help my parents conserve the assets they have worked all their lives to build?
A: Yes. Any assets a person spends for their own care is that much less that will be available for the government, through Medicaid or taxes, to take away. Most families would rather see those assets spent keeping their elderly family members at home and independent rather than have them taken away to reimburse the government or be taxed as an inheritance.
Q: How quickly can services be provided?
A: Generally services can be provided within a 48-hour period and often on the same day.
Q: Can I change the schedule if I have appointments?
A: Changes are easily accomplished with as little as a week’s notice. Our philosophy is to make the schedule work for the family, not the agency. You come first. Your needs, your requests, your schedule. We will do everything possible to make sure the schedule you want is the schedule you get.
Q: How do I start services?
A: We will have our staff come to your home and conduct a free, no-obligation assessment. We will then, at your direction, identify caregivers who have the skills, personality, and availability to assist you. You then will be able to meet the caregiver and if you approve, they will begin working for you.