Frequently Asked Questions
1) How will I know when my parents or loved one need help?
The burden often falls on the family to determine if an aging parent or loved one needs help with their personal care or daily living tasks. It can be difficult to know when this is necessary, especially if they don’t want to admit they need help.
Here are the warning signs that may indicate your loved one needs help:
- Cleanliness of the home (dishes and garbage piling up, excessive clutter)
- A decline in personal hygiene (not bathing, body odor)
- Wearing soiled or wrinkled clothing
- Empty cupboards and refrigerator or spoiled, outdated food
- Sudden loss or slow decline of good judgment and decision making
- Unopened mail or unpaid bills piling up
- Unexplained bruises (many elderly feel shame and won’t report a fall)
- Difficulty walking, imbalance, dizziness
- Lethargy and loss of mobility
- Forgetfulness: missing appointments, not taking medications on time
- Confusion performing once familiar tasks
- Strong smell of urine in the home
- Laundry piling up
- Unexplained or drastic weight loss
- Change in mood, depression, fear or mood swings
- Loss of interest in hobbies or activities
- Car accidents or unexplained dents and scratches on the car
2) How soon can I make this happen?
It varies on a case-by-case basis. The typical placement process is approximately one (1) week from the date of our initial assessment. In emergency cases we are very often able to expedite the process within a day or two.
3) Can our family meet the caregivers first?
Yes, definitely, unless we are faced with an emergency situation. It is a priority of Gladden Home Care to match the caregiver based on desired personality traits and the dynamics of the household, as well as on skill level and availability.
4) How affordable is Gladden Home Care?
Home care is more affordable than placing your loved one into a nursing home or assisted living facility. Our rates are very competitive and will depend on the level of care and the hours of service. You can feel relieved, knowing that you are making the best choice by keeping your loved one at home and providing them with one-on-one high quality personal care.
5) Will Medicare or Medicaid cover the cost?
Unfortunately, no. Medicare will not cover home care, or nursing homes or assisted living facilities, unless medical attention is required. Medicare will only cover what is deemed “medically necessary”. This includes physician and nursing care. Medicaid will only cover a portion of the cost if the client meets requirements and you then must seek care through a designated state approved agency that accepts Medicaid.
6) What if my loved one has a Long-Term Care Insurance policy?
Gladden Home Care is accepted by long-term care insurance. Contact your individual carrier for specific benefits and coverage.
7) What if I want to change the hours or length of care?
Our staff works closely with you to address your loved one’s changing needs. You pay ONLY for the service you receive. The amount of service will be dependent on the client’s physical and functional limitations. The schedule is entirely flexible and you may increase or decrease hours at any time based on the improvement or decline of the client’s condition or current needs.