By: Bobbie Hartz, Owner

There are several important factors that go into choosing a home care agency for the senior in your family.

Bobbie Hartz who owns Senior Helpers franchise located in Hockessin, Delaware, cites the major ones.

Reputable and dependable care agencies will routinely interview patients, obtain a history and then provide you with a care plan that identifies the entire individual’s needs and lists all the services to be provided by the caregiver.

“The key to a successful and mutually satisfying relationship
between caregiver and client depends on the agency’s ability
to match the personality and sensitivity of its staff to that of the client”.

Hartz adds that knowing the same person assigned to provide care will be available consistently throughout the period of service is also important. Senior Helpers wants their caregivers to build a relationship with their clients, so caregivers are permanently assigned to individual clients.

Sometimes overlooked but equally as important is to note
whether the caregiver provided by the agency
is an independent contractor or an employee of that agency.

In any case of contractor, it is important to determine that the caregiver is insured, bonded and you are aware of who is responsible for paying workers’ compensation, social security and taxes. “All of our employees and caregivers work directly for us,” s ays Hartz. “And we manage all of the required state and federal taxes and expenses related to employment.” If the caregiver is an employee of the agency, then you should know the agency’s screening process for criminal and drug backgrounds and if references have b een confirmed. (You must perform your own background screenings if the caregiver is contracted.)

“We thoroughly screen our caregivers
and select those we would want
in our own home and
with our own family members,” says Hartz.

With a growing staff of more than 110 employees and with services under the direction of a Registered Nurse, Senior Helpers of Hockessin offers two basic types of care: Companion and Personal. Companion caregivers provide services that include light housekeeping, laundry, running errands, medication reminders, getting clients to doctors’ appointments, in addition to providing companionship for seniors living on their own.

Senior Helper’s Personal care services include all the services of companion care with the additional services of bathing, dressing, feeding and incontinence care.
All caregivers must have some previous care giving experience either professionally or another family member.

“Our services are available anywhere from three to twenty-four hours
per day, up to seven days per week.

“Senior Helpers also offers live-in services and 1 hour “Peace of Mind” visits. Senior Helpers envisions a world in which senior citizens can age gracefully, socialize frequently and live confidently.
“We want to make a positive difference in the aging experience,” says Hartz.

“We will treat every contact as a friend,
every client as family
and perform every task as an honor.”

Call Senior Helpers today at 302.234.1274 to find out more
or visit us online at
www.seniorhelpers.com

Here’s a sample of what some our clients are saying about our services…

Lisa is the best thing that has happened to us in years. Senior Helpers is golden in our book.     ~ Ted – Wilmington, DE

My mom is pleased with Jennifer and has developed a good relationship with her. They enjoy going out and keeping busy. The simple things, like getting my mom’s hair washed and visiting friends mean a lot when she can’t do it herself.     ~ Leslie – Hockessin, DE

Debbie is very companionable and compassionate caregiver. She frequently initiates household maintenance activities without supervision. Her sunny disposition, sense of humor, and excellent communication skills allow her to fit seamlessly into the family household.     ~ Carole – Hockessin, DE

726 Yorklyn Road, Suite 410
Hockessin, DE 19707
LaBarre Everette, Director of Operations: leverette@seniorhelpers.com