Frequently Asked Questions
What is in-home care?
In-home care is assistance with daily activities such as dressing, grooming, housekeeping, and meal preparation to enable clients to remain independent in their own homes and to give family caregivers a break from their caregiving duties. In-home care often delays or eliminates the need to enter institutional care. Our caregivers are available as needed, including 24-hour care and on holidays
What is personal care assistance?
Personal care assistance enables elderly or disabled persons to age in place in their own homes. Our PCAs provide non-medical assistance with daily activities such a walking, bathing, dressing, and grooming. PCAs also will prepare meals, do house cleaning, laundry, run errands, and escort clients to medical appointments.
What does a caregiver do in the home?
Our caregivers are selected and trained to provide committed and compassionate care that enables elderly or disabled persons to remain at home. In-home caregivers provide the assistance and companionship that maintains a high quality of life for our clients.
What services do you offer?
We will meet the client in their own home to assist in establishing in-home care services. The assessment of client needs and preferences is free and carries no obligation. Clients are free to select their agencies and qualified care providers. When needed, we can provide referrals to highly competent and committed care coordinators. Our services enable our clients to remain at home and delay the need for institutional care by providing assistance with housework, laundry, meal preparation, bathing, grooming, toileting, shopping, and escort to medical appointments. The client’s needs and preferences are central when designing the plan of care. We will assist you in applying for Medicaid funded in-home care, or we will bill your long term care insurance on your behalf. Clients also may transfer to Willow Personal Care Assistants, LLC, by completing a simple agency transfer form.
How do we get started?
Please call our office at 495-6778. We will schedule an appointment to assist you with establishing in-home care services. The appointment is free and carries no obligation
How do you design my personal care plan?
We will meet with you in your home for an assessment of your needs and preferences. Medicaid clients will be assessed by a State of Alaska nurse assessor and their services will be authorized according to their assessed needs.
What happens next?
After you have approved your plan of care, we will assist you to select a qualified caregiver who will meet your needs and help maintain your independence. You will be in charge of scheduling your caregiver. We will provide insurance, take care of payroll and taxes, and provide on-going training of your caregiver.
Are your caregivers certified?
All of our caregivers must maintain certifications as required by the Alaska Division of Senior and Disabilities Services.
Will I always have the same caregiver?
Yes, we will attempt to schedule the same caregiver for each visit. When a client needs more services than can be provided by one caregiver, we will attempt to schedule the same team of caregivers continuously.
Are the caregivers bonded and insured?
All of our caregivers are bonded and covered by liability insurance and workers compensation.
How do you select your caregivers?
We only hire caregivers who have certifications in CPR and first aid and who can pass an extensive criminal background check. Preference is given to hiring PCAs who have extensive experience in caring for disabled or elderly persons and who maintain certification as certified nurse assistants.
Who pays employment taxes and workers compensation?
Willow Personal Care Assistants, LLC, pays employment taxes and carries workers compensation insurance on all agency caregivers.
How often will I be billed?
If your services are paid by Alaska Medicaid, you will not be billed. If your services are covered by insurance or you are a private pay client, you will be billed once per month.
Can I pay by credit card? Does insurance cover these services?
Yes, our services are covered by most long term care policies, and you may pay remaining balances by credit card.
