 |
 |  | QuestionsWhat makes Happy at Home Support Services Incorporated different?
Why hire Happy at Home instead of another company or individuals?
Can you send me additional information?
Is the owner of the company involved in the daily operations of the company?
How do you select your caregivers?
What are the backgrounds of your caregivers?
Are your employees bonded and insured?
How do you train your employees?
Can I help choose the caregivers and/or meet them in advance?
Do I get the same caregivers every time?
Can I change a caregiver?
What happens if my caregiver is sick?
Does your office have a supervisor "On Call" at all times?
Do you provide Workman's Compensation for your employees in the event that they are hurt on the job?
What are your rates?
Do your rates change for evening, weekend, or holiday services?
Who pays the caregiver - me or you?
How often do you bill for services? Can I pay the caregiver directly? How are my payments tracked?
Do I need to sign a contract?
Does someone from your office come to our home to do an assessment?
Are your services available for the elderly in nursing homes or assisted living facilities?
Do you have minimum hours of service?
Can I adjust a schedule once services have begun?
Can you provide 24 hour/7 day a week care?
What is your cancellation policy?
What type of records do you maintain in the home to keep us informed?
Can caregivers bathe clients?
Can caregivers administer medications to clients?
AnswersQ: What makes Happy at Home Support Services Incorporated different?
A: We are a locally based, owner-operated service providing the highest standards of compassionate, personalized care in the Lake Country area. We work hard to understand client/family needs and we make every effort to ensure you are completely comfortable with your caregiver. You can be confident that our professional staff will be there when scheduled. Happy at Home’s unique business processes, operating systems, training and personal customer service gives us distinction.
Q: Why hire Happy at Home instead of other companies or individuals?
A: All our professional caregivers are carefully screened, trained, bonded, and insured. Our large staff of quality employees, including a Registered Nurse, perform client assessments and quality assurance checks, ensuring your family member receives the utmost in care.
Q: Can you send me additional information?
A: We would be pleased to send you a Happy at Home information package detailing all the aspects of our services. Request package here
Q: Is the owner of the company involved in the daily operations of the company?
A: Happy at Home is owned and operated by Lyn Miller and Sheona Kloostra, long time residents of Orillia. Lyn and Sheona are in the office daily and involved in the day-to-day operations of the business to ensure the quality that inspired them to start this service is maintained. They have assembled a dedicated team of caring professionals, including office staff, caregivers, Registered Nurses, all with an emphasis on the personal aspects of care-giving. Our clients become part of our family and are treated as such.
Q: How do you select your caregivers?
A: Happy at Home caregivers go through an extensive selection process which entails phone screening, an interview at our local office, and an orientation before they are hired. All of our caregivers have successfully completed a thorough reference and criminal background check and all are also bonded, insured and come highly recommended.
Q: What are the backgrounds of your caregivers?
A: Our caregivers range in age from college students to those in their sixties who still have a lot to give to others. These wonderful people come from all walks of life. Some have been professional caregivers, such as retired nurses or nursing assistants, others have entered the care-giving field and become certified Personal Support Workers. Some have found that office jobs don't allow them to express their desire to help others. Many of them have cared for family members, friends or neighbours on a long-term basis. When we interview, we look for a warm and caring nature, good communication skills, practicality and common sense, plus a history of dependability.
Q: Are your employees bonded and insured?
A: Absolutely. We carry liability insurance and worker's compensation insurance, as well as bonding all caregivers. You are totally protected in case of accidental damage or injury.
Q: How do you train your employees?
A: Happy at Home hires experienced, mature, and, most often, certified Personal Support Workers as caregivers. Every Happy at Home caregiver participates in an extensive orientation program, which covers the most practical topics and situations encountered in caring for others. A caregiver begins his or her career with Happy at Home at an orientation, learning about our company and policies, about the expectations and needs of our clients, and much more. Each caring professional represents us, what we stand for and our goal: to make life easier for you and your family.
Q: Can I help choose the caregivers and/or meet them in advance?
A: Yes, our clients can help select their caregivers and we discuss the selection process during our in-home visit. We pay extra attention to assigning caregivers that will be compatible and meet your service requirements.
Q: Do I get the same caregivers every time?
A: We set a high priority on continuity. Whenever possible the same caregivers will be assigned for all shifts. When we first sit down with you at your no-obligation meeting, we spend time during the conversation discussing the types of personalities you are comfortable with, as well as covering your service needs and the schedule you would like us to follow. When we assign your caregivers, or team of caregivers (depending on your needs), we take all of that information into account. If you are happy with the person or people chosen for you, the staffing will not change.
Q: Can I change a caregiver?
A: You are always able to change a caregiver, for whatever reason. We only ask that you give us adequate time to find a suitable replacement. If you are in any way less than perfectly satisfied, we will change staffing until you are satisfied.
Q: What happens if my caregiver is sick?
A: As soon as a caregiver notifies us that they are unable to fulfil a shift we will immediately seek a replacement. We employ a caregivers’ team approach, so if one caregiver is sick, another is normally available.
Q: Does your office have a supervisor "On Call" at all times?
A: Yes, a supervisor is always available for emergency situations.
Q: Do you provide Workman's Compensation for your employees in the event that they are hurt on the job?
A: All Happy at Home clients are protected in the event that a Happy at Home caregiver is injured on the job. If an accident occurs, the Workman's Compensation policy will cover loss of wages from any injury that occurred on the job.
Q: What are your rates?
A: Our rates are very competitive. For the current rates, please contact the Happy at Home Office at 705-326-9355 for specific rate information.
Q: Do your rates change for evening, weekend, or holiday services?
A: Our rates do not change for evening or weekend shifts. Holiday rates for designated holidays are charged at 1 1/2 times normal rates.
Q: Who pays the caregiver - me or you?
A: Happy at Home handles all the billing, payroll, taxes, insurance, and administrative responsibilities for you.
Q: How often do you bill for services? Can I pay the caregiver directly? How are my payments tracked?
A: We invoice for services twice a month, on the 15th and the last day of the month. We ask for payment within 10 days from date of billing. The bill is all-inclusive. That is, all hours worked, and mileage or miscellaneous expenses, are all in the invoice that you receive. All payments are tracked through our computer software to ensure accuracy. We insist that the caregivers never get paid directly. This avoids errors including double invoicing or underpayment of federal and provincial employment taxes.
Q: Do I need to sign a contract?
A: We have a very flexible "Service Agreement" which may be cancelled at any time with 24-hour notice.
Q: Does someone from your office come to our home to do an assessment?
A: Prior to utilizing Happy at Home’s services, we are happy to provide a "free assessment" to make sure that the client and our service will be compatible and to answer any questions, free of charge and without obligation, for our clients and their families.
Q: Are your services available for the elderly in nursing homes or assisted living facilities?
A: Yes, a growing number of our clients reside in a setting other than their own home and we have had tremendous success working in facilities of all types. We provide companionship to care facility residents who require additional attention and/or personalized assistance.
Q: Do you have minimum hours of service?
A: We require a minimum of two hours per visit. You determine the length and frequency of visits.
Q: Can I adjust a schedule once services have begun?
A: We pride ourselves on our flexibility. You are always in control of your service schedule.
Q: Can you provide 24 hour/7 day a week care?
A: We can provide this service on a short-term, long-term, or respite basis. We are one of the very few organizations that provide this service.
Q: What is your cancellation policy?
A: Happy at Home is very responsive and has a liberal 24-hour cancellation policy.
Q: What type of records do you maintain in the home to keep us informed?
A: A "Client Binder" is maintained in the home to act as a communication vehicle for both clients and caregivers. These binders contain client information, as well as care givers’ notes on daily activities, medications, meals, etc., for each and every visit.
Q: Can caregivers bathe clients?
A: Yes, we can bathe a client, provide stability during the bath or shower, help the client back out, and help him or her to get dried off and dressed.
Q: Can caregivers administer medications to clients?
A: While we cannot actually place a medication in a client's hand or mouth, we certainly can remind a client to take medications, and can track the fact in our log books that the client has taken the medications. | | |  |
|
|
|