CARE CENTER - FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What are the Pros and Cons of using an agency vs. hiring direct?

A Care Agency such as AdvantagePlusCaregivers.com is dedicated to maintaining a pool of qualified caregivers of different levels and skill sets who are available to go to work on a moment's notice. We are constantly recruiting, testing, and qualifying new caregivers so that when a call comes in from someone in need we can act immediately to serve them.

When you place your own ad in the paper, you have to interview the person, select the right one and then hire them directly. It can take weeks or months to find a suitable caregiver using this method. And, in such cases, you are a legal employer with all the obligations required of employers in the United States, such as tax reporting, workers compensation and the like.

An agency like AdvantagePlusCaregivers.com handles supervision of the caregiver and can replace the caregiver at any time if there is a problem of any kind. If you place an ad and hire someone yourself, you have to supervise them yourself, and should you ever need to replace the caregiver, you will have to fire them and then start the process all over again. For additional information regarding the pros and cons, go to our helpful information section in our Resource Center and read the article.

What if my need for care changes over time or on occasion?

This is one of the main reasons to go with an agency like AdvantagePlusCaregivers.com. Because of our large pool of qualified caregivers and our professional Agents, we can adjust the level of care as your needs change.

Perhaps on a regular or daily basis you are looking for someone to help prepare meals and act as a general companion. That is no problem. But consider if you have an injury and need someone to help with rehabilitation or specialized nursing duties for a time? AdvantagePlusCaregivers.com can augment or alter your caregiver accordingly. What if you decide to take a vacation and want a caregiver who can travel with you to provide care during the trip? No problem! AdvantagePlusCaregivers.com has so many caregivers to choose from that we can match all your needs without any complications.

What should I ask an agency when hiring a caregiver?

• Ask for copies of their liability and workman's compensation insurance.
• Ask about their screening process.
• Ask how they supervise their caregivers in the field.
• Ask for references from current Clients and Care Recipients.

What should I do before bringing someone into my home?

• Do a written inventory of all important items.
• Secure or remove anything of high value; Jewelry, paintings, bank account information, checks, etc.
• Establish any areas that they should not access.
• Prepare the home for safety.

How are your rates in comparison to other agencies?

Our rates are highly competitive. We encourage you to compare, but when you do, remember to compare not only the cost but what you get for that cost.

What are some of the main reasons people will use AdvantagePlusCaregivers.com over the competition?

• We have someone on-call 24/7.
• If we cannot find the right caregiver for you, we will help you find an agency that does!
• We provide a full array of help information, resources and products in addition to our care services.
• We provide personal attention.
• We have a large pool of excellent, skilled, compassionate and trustworthy Caregivers.
• We use progressive/nursing notes to ensure quality care is delivered every day.
• We care about your overall health and well-being.
• We are experienced professionals and are great at matching the caregiver with the care recipient.
• We give you choices and options and help you make the right decision for your situation.

Where do we provide our service?

We serve the most areas of Los Angeles, Ventura, and San Bernardino County, and we are planning expansion to other areas of California as well.

What type of services do we offer?

We offer a full spectrum of services, from Child Care to Family Care to Elder Care, and at all levels. Please visit our Care Center for more details on the care services we offer. Services are available on an hourly or daily, temporary or extended, LIVE-IN or LIVE-OUT basis (Some minimum requirements may apply). Emergency services are available 24-hours a day. After hour emergency counselors are on call to service you! We also maintain an Online Resource Center where you can gain access to a wealth of free information about tools, products and services that you may need. Please visit our Resource Center for more on this.

What payment plans are available?

We will work with you to create a payment plan that is acceptable to us both. We pride ourselves in our ability to be flexible

What can you expect when you call?

We will listen to your needs. You will be asked a variety of questions to give us a clear understanding of your particular situation. For a better evaluation we may need to come out to the home (free of charge). We will put all of our policies, procedures and any agreements, in writing in clear and concise terms. We will then start the interviewing process to make sure the person(s) you choose will not only be able to take care of the needs requested, but also is compatible with the care-recipient in need, so they will feel comfortable.