Home Sweet Home Care, ElderCare & Live In Senior Care in San Francisco

Frequently Asked Questions

Am I obligated to continue services for any set period of time?

Not at all. You are under no obligation. You can cancel at any time. However, we would appreciate your giving us as much notice as possible so we can insure job continuity for the aide.

Can I hope to find a qualified aide who speaks our native language?

We are an equal opportunity employer and encourage qualified aides from all backgrounds to apply. Currently, we have a wide range of languages represented among our pool of qualified, available aides. Availability fluctuates daily, however. For your added convenience, our office administrative staff can assist you in the following languages: Spanish, Russian, Tagalog and Japanese.

Does Medicare cover any part of these expenses?

In most cases, no. The homecare benefit afforded by Medicare is usually provided by your primary hospital or HMO affiliation and includes some minimal care services following an acute incident/stay at a hospital or skilled nursing facility.

Does your agency provide transportation services to its clients for errand and doctor visits?

Yes, many of our aides are licensed drivers with clean DMV reports. They can be made available to drive/escort our clients to their medical appointments, hairdressers and/or excursions.

What if my aide gets sick or is temporarily not available?

No worries. We have an excellent replacement policy! Usually, your aide will advise the agency right away, and we will send a substitute whose skills and experience match the ones you need.

What is the difference between live-in and shift care?

A live-in is actively available to work nine hours in a twelve-hour period. The other three hours are designated by law for meal breaks and rest. After their hours of duty are completed, he or she may be available to accommodate a client's needs, once or twice a night, if needed. If, however, it is reported that a client's needs continue to exceed this limit, another aide will be assigned to work on a shift basis. While this care level is more expensive, (in most cases, doubling the cost), it is also the most attentive care available, particularly appropriate for very sick, terminal or restless patients.

Who handles the general liability and workers' comp insurance, the medical benefits and payroll deductions?

We do, unless you select our client-managed option. Nine out of ten people request our agency-managed option because it's easy, and it covers all the burdensome details of being an employer for you. There is, however, a small handling fee involved, so, if you are on a tight budget, the client-managed approach may be a little more economical over the long-term.

Will our aide handle housekeeping and meal preparation?

All of our aides are happy to assist with meal preparation and light housekeeping duties, such as laundry, bed making, vacuuming the client's living room, and keeping the kitchen, bedroom and bathroom, tidy and clean.