Why would I hire you instead of finding my own caregiver?
While many people find it advantageous to hire their own caregivers, hiring our agency has many benefits that you might not have considered. Our employees are rigorously vetted, with thorough background checks and must meet continuing training requirements. We manage benefits, payroll, sick leave and other employment standards. In the absence of one team member, we have back up caregivers that can step in to ensure continuous care. We also have a 24-hr nursing staff available for additional support, just a phone call away. Lastly, and perhaps the biggest advantage we offer is having the entire Better Way Home Care team at your disposal. Our multi-disciplinary team ranges from housekeeping and handyman services to counselors, nurses, and nurse practitioners. We can accommodate your needs as they ebb and flow, and you are never committed to any long-term contracts.
OK, I’m interested. What’s next?
We understand that accepting we need help can be difficult, and that it's not a decision to be made lightly. We suggest that you speak with multiple agencies as it's important to us that you find the best care for your situation. When it comes to our agency, we want to make things as easy as possible for you. We embrace technology and understand everyone's preferences are unique. You can reach out to us via call, text, email or fill out our contact form. From there we will be in contact to gather important information and set up a consultation. We prefer to come to your home and meet you in person to discuss your needs and to assess your environment. It’s important for us to gather as much information as possible to help build your care plan. We also offer other options such as video calls, etc. to accommodate your preferences. We take pride in being flexible and adopting to your needs.
I need help now! How soon can you start?
Your well-being is our top priority. We always have staff available, and in many situations, we can ensure that someone is available in a very short time to bridge the gap. We would then begin our care planning process, create a longer-term plan and match an appropriate caregiver for long-term situations.
I need after hours assistance; how do I contact someone?
Heath concerns are not typically observant of office hours, and we have that covered too. We have a 24/7 on-call support system in place to handle emergencies outside of regular business hours. Anything less, in our opinion, is unacceptable. There may be times when our staff is on another line, but your call will be returned in a timely manner.
I have questions but I am not ready to hire an agency yet. Can I still call you?
ABSOLUTELY! Our mission is to provide the highest quality of life to our clients, and we are deeply passionate about what we do. We would be happy to discuss your situation and we may even be able to direct you to some appropriate resources. Rest assured that we understand the journey from independence to needing care can be tough and we’re here to help. Call, text or email us today and find out what makes us different.
What sets your agency apart from other home care providers?
We are a locally owned and operated company that prides itself on providing the highest level of service to our clients. We achieve this by building a team that truly cares about the clients they serve. Our company does things differently and we think you will appreciate the difference. Further, we offer a satisfaction guarantee because we want you to feel confident in your decision. We are constantly improving and developing our services, and value our client's feedback. We have systems in place to check in regularly and make sure that we meet your needs.
How do you ensure my safety and security while providing care in my home?
Our caregivers are screened, and background checked. They must pass our rigorous and ongoing screening process. Our management team makes random visits during care to ensure that our standards are being maintained. Our initial consultation takes many environments safety considerations into account, and we try to ensure the safest environment possible. This can be many suggestions from physical security (deadbolts, security systems, fall alert systems), safety device recommendations (assist handles, lifts), and even cyber / telemarketer best practices. Our caregivers are also trained to follow our emergency response plan in case of a health-related emergency. We also have a nursing staff member on call 24/7. These are our minimum standards and are evolving continually. We do our best to stay at the forefront of safety and security.
Can I involve my family members or loved ones in the care process?
We feel the best outcomes are achieved when care is provided with a team approach. Often family is looked to first for support, but this can often become overwhelming and feel like overwhelming. We will work with you to augment any support you may have in place. If you have family that would like to provide some support, we can work with them to complement their help with our services. We also offer flexibility to provide additional care when your family may not be able to dedicate as much time. Often issues arise when other commitments come up or holidays or travel leaves a gap in care.
How do you communicate with family members about the care provided?
This is your life and well-being. We want to create a care plan that works best for you. We are happy to meet with or speak to any family members that you would like to involve. We are always available for questions and once authorized we can speak to any person you direct us to. We offer updates and visit notes on our platform, and they can be viewed by any authorized user so they have peace of mind in your care. If we notice increased needs or changes in health or well-being, we will update the involved parties and provide recommendations to help support you best. Your quality of life is our number one priority.
What types of activities can I expect to engage in with my caregiver?
Our team prides itself on out of the box solutions. We will try and accommodate all requests and match a caregiver that meets as many of your needs as possible. Our caregivers can help with everything from light daily housekeeping, meal prep, socialization to full in home medical and palliative care. Let us know what your needs are, and we will do our best to accommodate you!
Do you provide live-in care services for clients who require round-the-clock assistance?
We do! Often as complex needs arise such as return from surgery or more in-depth palliative care there is a need for around-the-clock care. We are able to provide this and will design a program that fits your needs.
Do you offer overnight care for clients who need assistance during the night?
Yes, we can provide overnight care.
How do you handle emergencies or unexpected situations that may arise during care?
Better Way Home Care has a robust emergency response plan. Our care workers are trained on how to deal with emergency or unexpected situations. While it is impossible to plan for all outcomes, we have done our best to address any situations we expect may arise. This policy is under constant review and development, and we would be happy to show you our response plan during a consultation. Further, our team has 24-hour access to a senior nursing team member who can help guide them through any situation that arises.
How do you ensure quality service and ongoing client satisfaction?
Our company prides itself on client satisfaction. Keeping our clients happy and making sure we meet their needs is at the core of our mission. We conduct ongoing random checks, follow up calls, and actively seek suggestions from our clients to improve our service. We believe the best way to improve our service is to ask our clients. After all, they are the experts on what they need and where we can improve our services. We think that you will see this difference when you work with us.
What measures do you take to prevent falls and accidents in the home?
An important part of our initial consultation is an environmental assessment of our clients living space. Our skilled care managers can make many suggestions that can improve the functionality and the safety of our clients' homes. Also, our caregivers are trained to constantly be on the lookout for hazards as they perform their duties. We put a lot of effort into making sure safety is our top priority, and if it prevents even one accident then it's worth every effort.
Are your services covered by insurance or AHS?
We are currently working on direct billing and self-managed care funding. Updates will follow, but currently we are private pay only. This will be in place very soon.
Do you provide transportation service for appointments?
Absolutely! We can transport you as required. Whether it’s to a doctor's appointment or a family wedding, we will get you there and support you however we can.
Can you assist with medication management?
We can provide many different forms of assistance here. The abilities will vary depending on the training of the caregiver. Our team ranges from health care aides to nurse practitioners, so we can help with many different needs.
How do you handle privacy and confidentiality?
Your privacy and confidentiality of your information is another core priority. We have the latest and most secure systems in place to achieve this. Only persons authorized will be able to discuss your care, and all communications are done within our management system which has been chosen because of its strict adherence to the highest standards. We use many layers of security, multi-factor authentications, communicate only on secure platforms and requires signed authorization for any access to records. You can rest assured that no corners are cut in this area. If you have more questions, please feel free to contact us.
Do you offer specialized care for conditions like dementia or Parkinson’s?
Dementia, Parkinson’s and similar conditions require skilled caregivers and unique care. Our care manager is a registered psychiatric nurse who is uniquely qualified in these areas. These conditions are difficult not only for the client but also the family. Our unique and caring approach helps support the best outcome by creating a support system that takes the entire situation into account. These are some of the most complicated and difficult needs to address and we pride ourselves on our ability to help in these situations. Call us today and discuss your goals with us.