Checks & Balances Plus helps seniors and busy professionals with the task and details of organizing, managing and paying their bills each month. For a small monthly fee the firm will open, scan and pay bills monthly, help protect your accounts from fraud with established procedures and controls, track and ensure timely payments, provide a detailed monthly bill payment history and provide a summary report to help in year-end income tax preparation. Founded by Joel Kamil, a practicing St. Louis CPA with over 40 years of experience, Checks & Balances Plus is bonded, insured and an accredited member of the Better Business Bureau of Eastern Missouri with an A+ rating. For additional information visit: www.cbp-stl.com or call 636-449-1298.

They offer a discount for HomeTeam clients!

Ruth Ann Noonan, one of HomeTeam’s owners and the Director of Nursing made her stage début giving a live commercial for HomeTeamforLiving.com.  She did a great job and got several compliments after the show.  This was our first year as a sponsor for the KMOX Holiday radio show and we had a great time doing it.

The performance will be rebroadcast on December 24, 2011.  If you missed it live, tune in to catch it the second time around.

1) Pull together an emergency kit in case the electricity turns off.  Some things to include: flashlight with extra batteries, matches, candles with holders, battery powered radio, blankets, warm socks, sweaters.

2) Keep an extra pair of gloves, knit hat and a blanket in your car and don’t let your gas tank get to empty.  Major highways can get shut down for periods of time due to slick conditions.

Click on the link below to purchase tickets for this event.

http://stlouis.cbslocal.com/kmox-holiday-radio-show/

HomeTeam is on the radio.  Listen here.

1. What is the background of your company?

Research the history and ownership of the company. What type of licenses do they have? Is it involved in professional organizations?

2. How long has your company been in business?

How many years the firm has been in business is not always pertinent to the quality of care given, but it does reflect on the stability and success of the company. It may be one good factors if you have more limited information in other areas.

3. What qualifications, experience and training is required of your workers?

Find out if caregivers’ credentials are investigated. Plus, determine whether caregivers undergo a thorough, professional testing and screening process. Ask what ongoing training is provided.

4. Are your staff employees or contract workers? Are they insured and bonded?

Ask about your personal liability and tax obligations if workers are contract employees. For your protection, ensure that all caregivers are insured and bonded by the home care agency.

5. How do you supervise your workers to make sure the proper care is given?

Some agencies make regularly scheduled quality assurance calls and visits. To further ensure quality care, see that all caregivers are regularly and closely supervised by a qualified company representative.

6. Will the same employee continue with my case?

It is difficult to receive good care if different people are showing up every week. A good home care provider will be concerned with continuity of care.

7. Do you conduct a home visit before starting the home care service?

When choosing the home care services right for you, it is important that the patient and family members discuss the kind of care needed with a home care representative. This will help you determine whether the home care provider can meet your needs.

8. Do you work with my doctor in developing a plan of care?

If you require care beyond that associated with activities of daily living, your doctor ought to be involved. Most agencies will work directly with your doctor in arranging and planning for your care.

9. Can you give me some references from doctors, hospital personnel or social workers?

Ask for names of people, not just the name of a hospital or organization. One good question to ask these professionals or patients: “Would you use this company again for yourself or your loved ones?”

10. Do you guarantee customer satisfaction?

Find out if there is a length of time you will be committed to the home care provider even if you are unhappy with the care they are providing. The home care provider should guarantee care and cancel charges for unsatisfactory service.

She asked for help.  We set up a plan with her and started providing caregivers to help her remember to take her medications and to prepare healthy meals for her.  We also helped her with light housekeeping and bathing.

She started feeling like herself, got back on her feet and was soon busy tending her garden and going for walks with our caregiver:  doing the things she loved to do while having the Peace of Mind to remain independent in her beloved home.

If home care is provided under Medicare, the cost of services is covered completely. Equipment is paid under Part B and is covered at 80%. Homemaker and aide services provided under state programs are generally covered at 100%. These programs generally have income qualifications. Very often only low-income seniors will qualify.

Another option for paying for this care is long-term care insurance. Most will cover a portion of home care that is provider for personal type care. Check the benefits carefully. Some companies have provided this type of insurance under retirement benefits.

It would be wise to contact your former employer to inquire if this benefit is available. The other option is to pay for the care provided from savings. Check with your Agency On Aging for information on any assistance available.

Today, the NPDA represents more than 1,200 member organizations and over 250,000 employees throughout the United States providing private pay in-home care services for the elderly and disabled.

Goals Include:

• set industry standards for private duty homecare
• educate the public about the differences in private duty models
• develop best practices within the home care industry
• develop core training and education programs