Consider asking the following questions

---

Understanding that no two companies are alike, it's crucial to identify differences in company philosophy before hiring someone to care for your loved one. Consider asking the following questions to help you make one of the most important decisions of your life:

What is the pay rate for your caregivers?
The local average pay for most home care agencies is $16.00 per hour, which is not sufficient compensation for the important work they do. In contrast, Aging at Home Solution begins all care partners at $17.00 per hour, with an increase to $18.00 per hour after 60 days of service and the successful completion of all training. Currently, this is the highest starting pay for care partners in the area.

How many hours of hands-on training do your Caregivers receive?

The average home care agency provides less than 60 minutes of dementia training. In contrast, Aging at Home Solution offers eight hours of hands-on dementia training from a Certified Independent Instructor in the “Positive Approach to Care” developed by Teepa Snow, a nationally recognized expert in aging.

What other types of hands-on training do you provide?
Generally, many companies offer very little hands-on training, often relying on computer-based instruction. In contrast, Aging at Home Solution offers six two-hour food preparation sessions for our care partners, utilizing local chefs, their recipes, and locally grown ingredients.

 At Aging at Home Solution, we believe that our care partners are the backbone of our company. Providing them with all the necessary tools for success is a top priority for our founders. Additionally, Aging at Home Solution and our care partners are bonded, insured, and covered by workers' compensation insurance, ensuring that clients face no additional burden.

When considering private pay care, please take the following factors into account, and be sure to contact your insurance agent before making any decisions:

• If a caregiver is injured while working in your home, your homeowner’s insurance typically will not cover medical bills or lost wages. It’s important to be aware that if you hire workers for your care, you may be required to have a workers' compensation policy in place before services begin. While this represents an additional cost, it serves to protect you, your home, and your caregiver.

As an employer (which is the status you assume when paying a caregiver privately), you are required to pay income taxes on behalf of your employee. This is another important expense to consider when arranging private care for a loved one.