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As with most things, there is a process involved in selecting and beginning service with the home care agency that will provide care for your loved one. While the process outlined below isn’t carved in stone, it should serve as a reasonable guideline for getting you through. It reflects the process we prefer, but our service is customized to the needs and circumstances of the individual, and may vary.

  • Do a thorough due diligence on the agency. It’s prudent to do your homework on the available agencies in your area. There are important differences in agencies and we want you to understand the differences.
  • Meet with agency representative to get an introduction to the agency and discuss client’s requirements. Review agreements and agency-provided materials to ensure you understand your financial and other obligations. Only then should you sign any documents.
  • The agency will arrange to visit the client in her/his home; preferably, the primary caregiver (most often a family member) should be there as well. This way we will get an understanding of the client’s needs, limitations and expectations. First Choice Senior Care uses one of the most comprehensive assessment processes in the industry, to ensure we are properly understand and can address the client’s needs.
  • We will prepare a written plan of care, detailing the services and timing of various activities. The plan will be reviewed with the appropriate family member as well as the client.
  • First Choice Senior Care will assign a caregiver, based on criteria provided by the client, family member. The caregiver will be provided with the plan of care and a copy will be kept in the client’s home for updating and notation during service.
  • First Choice Senior Care management or staff will accompany the caregiver to the clients’ home on the first visit as an introduction and to answer any unforeseen questions that may arise. The caregiver will be wearing a First Choice Senior Care badge with photo for proper identification. Upon arrival our caregiver will use the client’s home phone to make a toll-free call to our office. This call (using our state-of-the-art technology) confirms that our caregiver has arrived. Another toll-free call is made at the end of the daily assignment at which time our caregiver will input the activities performed that day. This ensures accuracy in billing, as well as real-time verification of the caregiver’s departure.
  • About every 4-6 weeks, our client care coordinator or other staff member will visit the home to check on the client and the caregiver, and to ensure that the plan of care is working as intended or to make any adjustments needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Home health care is delivered to homebound patients by medical companies and medical professionals such as doctors, physical and occupational therapists, nurses, speech therapists and other skilled medical staff. Home care providers assist with non-medical care tasks and often work in cooperation with home health professionals to help seniors. While home health providers come in for select appointments or therapy sessions and leave at the conclusion, home care providers deliver sustained non-medical support for the days and times the client needs and desires.

Home care enables the client to remain in her/his home…and that’s usually where we’re most comfortable and secure.

After the assessment, if we determine home care isn’t appropriate we will let you know right away. Our owner is a Certified Senior Advisor and can help you choose the most appropriate care options for your loved one. To give you some ideas of when home care might be the better choice, here are some circumstances where it may make sense:

  • When the client is likely to thrive in her/his home environment, as opposed to the alternatives.
  • When the client is transitioning from a hospital or other facility, or recovering from surgery or an illness, in such cases the objective is to help the client get back to independence and the ability to handle the usual activities of daily living.
  • In instances where the client may be isolated, and would benefit from personal care and companionship.
  • When the primary caregiver needs help and a respite.
  • If there are safety issues, a lack of regular personal hygiene, poor nutrition, etc.
  • If the client needs reminders to take his/her medication.
  • Where the client doesn’t participate in activities that exercise her/him mentally and physically.

When you call us, we will schedule a free assessment and in most cases, we can begin service right away. Usually assessments are performed Monday through Thursday during business hours and Friday mornings, but exceptions can be made depending on the clients need.

No. You can cancel service at any time with just a 24-hour notice.

Yes. Caregivers are available 24/7, and we always have someone available to take your call if there is an emergency.

Absolutely. First Choice Senior Care is a full-service provider of home care. Our caregivers are our employees, so you never have to worry about their federal and state taxes, social security, Medicare, or workers compensation insurance because we take care of that. They are also bonded and insured through our general liability insurance.

We are here to support you and your loved one so when circumstances change we can change the plan and care visits to accommodate those needs.

Yes, we serve clients and families in private residences, retirement communities, and assisted-living communities and provide safety and companionship care and advocacy to clients in nursing homes, rehabilitation facilities, and hospitals.

We are here to support you when you return from the hospital for as long as you need while you recover from surgery. Many of our clients find that with in-home caregiver support they have more time to focus on their recovery and they heal faster. Our goal is to help you feel better so that you can return to your independent lifestyle as soon as possible and agreement ends when you no longer need us.

Yes. We can remind clients to take prescribed medicines at the correct times, observe and document the client taking the medicines, and the dosages and types of medicines taken. We cannot administer the medications.

Yes. Not only do caregivers transport seniors to medical appointments, but they will help your loved one check in and settle into the waiting room. If the wait time is long, caregivers will communicate with receptionists to help to facilitate the appointment. If desired, caregivers can even sit in on the appointment and take notes on what occurs. Following the appointment, caregivers will help the senior safely to the car, pick up any necessary prescriptions, and drive them home. Once there, we will help them settle back comfortably into their residence.

Each care plan is customized to the individual client and as a result fees will vary depending on the services you need. Our rates are surprisingly affordable, please contact us for a free assessment.

First Choice Senior Care uses a state-of-the-art reporting system. When our Caregiver arrives at your home they will call a toll-free phone number from your phone and these calls are logged into our system. At the end of the shift the caregiver calls again. This does two things—it advises our office that your caregiver has arrived so we can respond immediately if something has happened, and it records the hours for billing purposes.

We invoice every two weeks. For your convenience, and to keep costs low most clients have their payments automatically drafted from their account. Otherwise payment is due upon receipt and a deposit will be required.

Currently, this type of care is not covered by most private insurance, Medicare or Medicaid. However, it may be covered under a long-term care policy or Aid & Attendance veteran’s benefits. Typically, the client or a family member pays for the services delivered. If you have a long-term care policy we will review your policy and work with the carrier to make sure they have the documents needed for your reimbursement. First Choice Senior Care will review all financial arrangements and obligations in advance.

We work hard to match our clients with caregivers who will be a good fit, but if for any reason you want a replacement, we are happy to help.

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The Arkansas Hospice Family of Care
14 Parkstone Circle | North Little Rock, AR 72116
(501) 748-3333 or Toll Free (877) 713-2348
contactus@arkansashospice.org
Arkanas Hospice Registered 501(c)(3). EIN: 71-0846826