FAQs
You’ve got questions about home care. We’ve got solutions.
Initiating any home care situation comes with many questions. We welcome them all and when you’re ready to discuss your home care possibilities in more detail, we’ll be happy to sit with you and answer any more you might have.
These questions will give more insight into what you should be asking other home care agencies so you can more successfully compare your options.
Is The Nursing Team locally owned and operated?
Yes. In fact, we like to say we are family-owned and lovingly operated. The owners, Tom and Kathleen Chastain, were not only inspired by the home care journey they both experienced with their own mothers, but turned that inspiration into a mission to serve others. They want to help other see the beauty and dignity that can be experienced when you embrace the aging process and have gratitude for every day you have with loved ones.
If I call, will I get a recording or a real person?
Real person. Absolutely! Your call will be answered by a knowledgeable trained Call Specialist regardless of the day or time you call. In addition, all of our clients have direct access to our Leadership team via our office number or personal cell phones as needed. We are here for you whenever the need arises.
Do you provide medical services?
After we develop a care plan, we will match our clients with a caregiver who is certified and/or licensed for that particular level of care. If needed, The Nursing Team™ can will incorporate the services of our LPN and/or RN. Click here to see list of our services.
Do you have liability insurance?
Yes.
Are caregivers bonded and insured, as well as certified or licensed?
Yes. All of our team members are bonded and insured. You will be informed in advance of the level of certification or licensing held by every member of your care team. In addition, each Care Team member represents themselves by wearing a company badge which indicates their position and level of certification or licensing.
How will I know I can trust the caregiver coming into my home?
This is one of the most important home care questions we get asked. We realize you are putting a great deal of faith in someone whom you won’t know at first. Each person on our caregiving team has to “check all the boxes.” That means they have to pass background checks, criminal record checks, reference checks and medical screenings. They are thoroughly interviewed in person and must find true JOY™ in the job they do. Clients and family members will be introduced to their caregiver by their Care Specialist or a member of the Leadership Team personally.
What if I want to change the caregiver assigned to me?
The most important outcome is for our clients to be happy, comfortable and find JOY™ with their caregiver. That’s why we stand behind our Meaningful Match™ process. Our intention is to match you with a caregiver that best shares your interests (gardening, cooking, sports etc.); if it’s not a fit, we want to know. We will rematch you with another caregiver at any time with no additional charge.
Does anyone on the leadership team oversee our care plan and how it is being conducted?
Yes, we are all on board. While you may have one caregiver coming to the home, you have a Team of people keeping track of the care. We utilize a smart phone communication tool that requires all caregivers to check in/out as they arrive and depart from the home. The same tool acts as a communication portal to record notes of what occurred during the visit including activities, mood/appetite changes, requested caregiving changes, improvements or declines in health, and more. Additionally, family members will have access to all of these notes and updates.
What if my caregiver can’t come, is sick or has a family emergency of their own?
We will never let you down—hence the “Team” in our name. While you may look forward to your regular caregiver we have backup plans in place for days like this.
How much does home care cost?
As a private duty home care company we work with each client and family to develop an individualized plan that best fits their budgetary needs. We can also work with your long-term care insurance company if applicable. We do not process VA, Medicare and Medicaid claims.
What if I need a little medical service and a little non-medical service? Will I be paying an RN to fold laundry?
Each of our team members are selected knowing our company philosophy of being a TEAM. So, no one on our staff, including our Leadership Team, is beyond folding laundry but our intention is to build a Care Plan based on the needs of the client while applying monetary efficiencies. Judicious care is taken in recognizing when a higher skilled or trained caregiver is needed and when they are not.
Is there a way for the family of a client to easily communicate with The Nursing Team, pay online and get an overall status of the caregiving plan?
Yes. Similar to the communication tool we have for our caregivers, we also have an online portal for our clients and/or their designated family caregiver. This portal will allow them to keep up with the care giving plan; serve as a communication hub; and provide the convenience of automatic payments.
Do we have to commit to a certain time period?
The Nursing Team does not require long-term contracts. And, although full benefit of our approach can be reached when working long-term with our clients, we recognize that some situations only require a visit or two of our assistance. These visits require a 2 – 4 hour minimum.
Do you only deal with aging seniors?
No. While the majority of our clients are aging parents of family caregivers, we love serving clients of all ages. We’ve often helped younger clients during postoperative recovery, paraplegia or quadriplegia care, new moms and other special circumstances.
How do I get my parents to agree to home care?
The founders of The Nursing Team™ know first hand how difficult this conversation is and one we commit to not strive away from helping you prepare for. Whenever you are ready remember:
- There is no perfect time.
- You can never have the conversation too early.
- Be prepared, do your research, ask for help.