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Who are you caring for?
Which best describes their mobility?
How well are they maintaining their hygiene?
How are they managing their medications?
Does their living environment pose any safety concerns?
Fall risks, spoiled food, or other threats to wellbeing
Are they experiencing any memory loss?
Which best describes your loved one's social life?
Acknowledgment of Disclosures and Authorization
By proceeding, I agree that I understand the following disclosures:
I. How We Work in Washington. Based on your preferences, we provide you with information about one or more of our contracted senior living providers ("Participating Communities") and provide your Senior Living Care Information to Participating Communities. The Participating Communities may contact you directly regarding their services. APFM does not endorse or recommend any provider. It is your sole responsibility to select the appropriate care for yourself or your loved one. We work with both you and the Participating Communities in your search. We do not permit our Advisors to have an ownership interest in Participating Communities.
II. How We Are Paid. We do not charge you any fee – we are paid by the Participating Communities. Some Participating Communities pay us a percentage of the first month's standard rate for the rent and care services you select. We invoice these fees after the senior moves in.
III. When We Tour. APFM tours certain Participating Communities in Washington (typically more in metropolitan areas than in rural areas.) During the 12 month period prior to December 31, 2017, we toured 86.2% of Participating Communities with capacity for 20 or more residents.
IV. No Obligation or Commitment. You have no obligation to use or to continue to use our services. Because you pay no fee to us, you will never need to ask for a refund.
V. Complaints. Please contact our Family Feedback Line at (866) 584-7340 or ConsumerFeedback@aplaceformom.com to report any complaint. Consumers have many avenues to address a dispute with any referral service company, including the right to file a complaint with the Attorney General's office at: Consumer Protection Division, 800 5th Avenue, Ste. 2000, Seattle, 98104 or 800-551-4636.
VI. No Waiver of Your Rights. APFM does not (and may not) require or even ask consumers seeking senior housing or care services in Washington State to sign waivers of liability for losses of personal property or injury or to sign waivers of any rights established under law.I agree that: A.I authorize A Place For Mom ("APFM") to collect certain personal and contact detail information, as well as relevant health care information about me or from me about the senior family member or relative I am assisting ("Senior Living Care Information"). B.APFM may provide information to me electronically. My electronic signature on agreements and documents has the same effect as if I signed them in ink. C.APFM may send all communications to me electronically via e-mail or by access to an APFM web site. D.If I want a paper copy, I can print a copy of the Disclosures or download the Disclosures for my records. E.This E-Sign Acknowledgement and Authorization applies to these Disclosures and all future Disclosures related to APFM's services, unless I revoke my authorization. You may revoke this authorization in writing at any time (except where we have already disclosed information before receiving your revocation.) This authorization will expire after one year. F.You consent to APFM's reaching out to you using a phone system than can auto-dial numbers (we miss rotary phones, too!), but this consent is not required to use our service.
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I acknowledge and authorize
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I consent to the collection of my consumer health data.*
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I consent to the sharing of my consumer health data with qualified home care agencies.*
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Mostly Independent
Your loved one may not require home care or assisted living services at this time. However, continue to monitor their condition for changes and consider occasional in-home care services for help as needed.
Remember, this assessment is not a substitute for professional advice.
Share a few details and we will match you to trusted home care in your area:
The national median cost of nonmedical home care is $34 per hour, according to A Place for Mom's 2026 Costs of Long-Term Care and Senior Living Report. Keep in mind that home care costs vary by location, provider, number of hours that are arranged, and type of care needed.
You can explore the full report here: https://www.aplaceformom.com/senior-living-data/long-term-care-costs
Dana, The cost of care can vary greatly depending on the type and quantity of care, the special skills required of the caregiver, and your location.
Some people think hiring private caregivers will save them money, but that may not always be true. You will have no resources to back you up if the caregiver calls off, steals dad's stuff, or mistreats him. And, you probably won't be able to confirm their credentials and liability insurance. (No one will ever give you a bad reference - not even the dumbest caregiver!)
A home healthcare agency will be the most expensive. This could be a good option if Dad is not under the care of a primary physician. Dad will get a nurse evaluation, "aka sales call," prior to admission and monthly follow-up visits by the nurse to recommend additional care. They will staff licensed CNAs or certified HHAs, have conducted thorough background checks, and confirm the aides' credentials are up to date. They should be able to send a replacement if a caregiver is sick or unavailable, but some agencies have an "as available" staffing policy, so Dad may have a different aide every day of the week or no caregiver at all. A home healthcare agency will not allow its workers to work more than 40 hours, but if you want them to work more, the rate is time-and-a-half. This could cause a parade of caregivers in and out of the house if they are staffing multiple shifts every day of the week. They often require huge downpayments and long cancellation periods.
The middle ground is typically the best if the patient is seeing their PCP regularly and there is family support, either local or out of town. Home Care Agencies (aka Nurse Registries) operate as a placement agency to help you find the perfect caregiver for your dad. The people they refer will have to have the exact same credentials and requirements as homehealth. (Homehealth and home care can be confusing, but they are very different.) Since Home care agencies use independent contractors, they can typically charge less while paying their caregivers more, leading to happier, more loyal caregivers. Also, because they are Independent Contactors, both you and the home care agency can remove them from a case without worrying about DOE pushback, and you have more choice over the people who come to your home. Independent Contractors are not required to be paid overtime for hours over 40, so they can work a 12-hour shift 5 days without it costing you more money, and Dad will get more consistent care with less staffing.
Some people say the downside is that independent contractors are not covered by workers' comp, but in most cases, homeowners' insurance could cover an accident, and the types of incidents that may require a claim are few and far between. Most home care agencies require their caregivers to maintain a personal liability policy, typically with a $100k limit per claim.
I can not speak for all home care agencies, but I operate with full transparency with my clients. After an evaluation, we make a recommendation on the Caregiver we think would be best for the case and discuss how much the Caregiver and the agency are paid. We only staff caregivers with 5 or more years of experience. If the client wishes, we will set up in-person or FaceTime meetings with the potential caregivers so they fully understand the job, the expectations, and the client. If it's a match, we can usually begin care the same or the next day.
In my company, there are no security deposits, pre-payments, minimum number of hours or minimum requirements for cancellation of services. This model is a win-win for the client and the caregiver, delivering better care, happier caregivers, and lower costs.
To find the cost in your area you can do a search easily enough. There are different levels of care. Companion Care. Caregiving, nor involved than Companion care. Nurse. You can contact agencies and explain exactly the type of care that is needed and they will let you know the cost. Cost will also be effected by how many hours you need someone. Several hours each day, all day, over night? And how many days a week you need or want the help. And cost will also vary if you hire through an agency or if you hire privately. Be very careful if you hire privately. You do NOT want to "pay under the table" and you need to be sure that paperwork and contract is done properly and that taxes are paid. And "room and board" is NOT payment for caregiving.
By proceeding, I agree that I understand the following disclosures:
I. How We Work in Washington.
Based on your preferences, we provide you with information about one or more of our contracted senior living providers ("Participating Communities") and provide your Senior Living Care Information to Participating Communities. The Participating Communities may contact you directly regarding their services.
APFM does not endorse or recommend any provider. It is your sole responsibility to select the appropriate care for yourself or your loved one. We work with both you and the Participating Communities in your search. We do not permit our Advisors to have an ownership interest in Participating Communities.
II. How We Are Paid.
We do not charge you any fee – we are paid by the Participating Communities. Some Participating Communities pay us a percentage of the first month's standard rate for the rent and care services you select. We invoice these fees after the senior moves in.
III. When We Tour.
APFM tours certain Participating Communities in Washington (typically more in metropolitan areas than in rural areas.) During the 12 month period prior to December 31, 2017, we toured 86.2% of Participating Communities with capacity for 20 or more residents.
IV. No Obligation or Commitment.
You have no obligation to use or to continue to use our services. Because you pay no fee to us, you will never need to ask for a refund.
V. Complaints.
Please contact our Family Feedback Line at (866) 584-7340 or ConsumerFeedback@aplaceformom.com to report any complaint. Consumers have many avenues to address a dispute with any referral service company, including the right to file a complaint with the Attorney General's office at: Consumer Protection Division, 800 5th Avenue, Ste. 2000, Seattle, 98104 or 800-551-4636.
VI. No Waiver of Your Rights.
APFM does not (and may not) require or even ask consumers seeking senior housing or care services in Washington State to sign waivers of liability for losses of personal property or injury or to sign waivers of any rights established under law.
I agree that:
A.
I authorize A Place For Mom ("APFM") to collect certain personal and contact detail information, as well as relevant health care information about me or from me about the senior family member or relative I am assisting ("Senior Living Care Information").
B.
APFM may provide information to me electronically. My electronic signature on agreements and documents has the same effect as if I signed them in ink.
C.
APFM may send all communications to me electronically via e-mail or by access to an APFM web site.
D.
If I want a paper copy, I can print a copy of the Disclosures or download the Disclosures for my records.
E.
This E-Sign Acknowledgement and Authorization applies to these Disclosures and all future Disclosures related to APFM's services, unless I revoke my authorization. You may revoke this authorization in writing at any time (except where we have already disclosed information before receiving your revocation.) This authorization will expire after one year.
F.
You consent to APFM's reaching out to you using a phone system than can auto-dial numbers (we miss rotary phones, too!), but this consent is not required to use our service.
The national median cost of nonmedical home care is $34 per hour, according to A Place for Mom's 2026 Costs of Long-Term Care and Senior Living Report. Keep in mind that home care costs vary by location, provider, number of hours that are arranged, and type of care needed.
You can explore the full report here: https://www.aplaceformom.com/senior-living-data/long-term-care-costs
Hope this helps!
The cost of care can vary greatly depending on the type and quantity of care, the special skills required of the caregiver, and your location.
Some people think hiring private caregivers will save them money, but that may not always be true. You will have no resources to back you up if the caregiver calls off, steals dad's stuff, or mistreats him. And, you probably won't be able to confirm their credentials and liability insurance. (No one will ever give you a bad reference - not even the dumbest caregiver!)
A home healthcare agency will be the most expensive. This could be a good option if Dad is not under the care of a primary physician. Dad will get a nurse evaluation, "aka sales call," prior to admission and monthly follow-up visits by the nurse to recommend additional care. They will staff licensed CNAs or certified HHAs, have conducted thorough background checks, and confirm the aides' credentials are up to date. They should be able to send a replacement if a caregiver is sick or unavailable, but some agencies have an "as available" staffing policy, so Dad may have a different aide every day of the week or no caregiver at all. A home healthcare agency will not allow its workers to work more than 40 hours, but if you want them to work more, the rate is time-and-a-half. This could cause a parade of caregivers in and out of the house if they are staffing multiple shifts every day of the week. They often require huge downpayments and long cancellation periods.
The middle ground is typically the best if the patient is seeing their PCP regularly and there is family support, either local or out of town. Home Care Agencies (aka Nurse Registries) operate as a placement agency to help you find the perfect caregiver for your dad. The people they refer will have to have the exact same credentials and requirements as homehealth. (Homehealth and home care can be confusing, but they are very different.) Since Home care agencies use independent contractors, they can typically charge less while paying their caregivers more, leading to happier, more loyal caregivers. Also, because they are Independent Contactors, both you and the home care agency can remove them from a case without worrying about DOE pushback, and you have more choice over the people who come to your home. Independent Contractors are not required to be paid overtime for hours over 40, so they can work a 12-hour shift 5 days without it costing you more money, and Dad will get more consistent care with less staffing.
Some people say the downside is that independent contractors are not covered by workers' comp, but in most cases, homeowners' insurance could cover an accident, and the types of incidents that may require a claim are few and far between. Most home care agencies require their caregivers to maintain a personal liability policy, typically with a $100k limit per claim.
I can not speak for all home care agencies, but I operate with full transparency with my clients. After an evaluation, we make a recommendation on the Caregiver we think would be best for the case and discuss how much the Caregiver and the agency are paid. We only staff caregivers with 5 or more years of experience. If the client wishes, we will set up in-person or FaceTime meetings with the potential caregivers so they fully understand the job, the expectations, and the client. If it's a match, we can usually begin care the same or the next day.
In my company, there are no security deposits, pre-payments, minimum number of hours or minimum requirements for cancellation of services. This model is a win-win for the client and the caregiver, delivering better care, happier caregivers, and lower costs.
There are different levels of care.
Companion Care.
Caregiving, nor involved than Companion care.
Nurse.
You can contact agencies and explain exactly the type of care that is needed and they will let you know the cost.
Cost will also be effected by how many hours you need someone. Several hours each day, all day, over night? And how many days a week you need or want the help.
And cost will also vary if you hire through an agency or if you hire privately.
Be very careful if you hire privately. You do NOT want to "pay under the table" and you need to be sure that paperwork and contract is done properly and that taxes are paid.
And "room and board" is NOT payment for caregiving.
Go to Care.com to see local rates or search "Caregiving agencies near me"+(your zipcode)