What if mom needs help but doesn’t want someone in her home?

It is very difficult for seniors to accept a caregiver into their home because they feel as though they are losing their independence. And, unfortunately, children of seniors have difficulty helping their parents make such a decision. To ease this process, Coastal Care always recommends an in-home consultation with one of our nurses who understands and is specially trained to handle difficult situations (please discuss your concerns about your loved one when scheduling your consultation). Quite often, seniors who originally don’t want private care find themselves developing a trusting relationship with their caregiver after just one or two initial visits. Coastal Care also offers daytime 1-hour social visits, which are offered prior to starting care, to initiate and encourage these trusting relationships.

My father can be difficult and I am worried about potential problems with caregivers?

Since everyone has different likes and dislikes, Coastal Care focuses on matchmaking. During our initial consultation we learn details about our clients so we can successfully match them with someone who they will both like and trust. To being this process, please contact 1.866.956.4114 or complete our simple matchmaking questionnaire to help us select the perfect caregiver for your loved one. Each client is also assigned a personal coordinator who will check in with dad (and you as well) and the caregiver after the initial visit to make sure the perfect match was made.

What if I live out of state and my parents reside in Florida. How will I know what is going on with mom?

Each Coastal Care private client is matched with a private care coordinator who personally contacts clients weekly for reassurance, to check on their progress and, ultimately, develop a family-like relationship. Families may also request daily assurance calls to offer reminders or simply ensure safety.

What if I don’t want a steady caregiver, just someone every now and then?

This is not at all unusual. Many folks choose to have care on an as-needed basis, whether weekly, every other week or otherwise. Each schedule and care plan created by Coastal Care is client-driven with clients and their family members as the decision makers.

Do I pay the caregiver directly?

No, we take care of that. You will receive a weekly invoice by mail or email for our services, which you can then pay via check or credit card. Also, while appreciative for the thought, our nurses do not accept tips.

Can I use my long-term care insurance with Coastal Care?

Yes. In fact, Coastal Care specializes in long-term care. We eliminate your paperwork and stress by handling all claims, physician forms and processing. During your initial consultation, your nurse will complete all claims forms for your long-term care insurance company, as well as review your policy to determine your daily or weekly benefit amount. We will then set up a personalized schedule per your request and comfort level. Within 24 – 48 hours, the Coastal Care team will verify your benefits. Each week thereafter you will receive a copy of the invoice sent to your long-term care insurance so you can rest assured that we are taking care of these needs.

Can Coastal Care bill my long-term care insurance directly?

Yes and you will find our expertise exceptional when dealing with your insurance company. During our first visit we will discuss payment arrangements and, if you prefer, you can complete an assignment of benefits form, which designates Coastal Care as a direct payee. We then process all progress notes and dates of service on your behalf. Each week you will receive an invoice showing the amount billed to insurance and, if any, the amount owed to you.

What is continuity of care and why is it important?

Simply, continuity of care means one caregiver attends to your needs and wishes. This ensures not only your comfort but also that you get the best care possible since they will know exactly what you need, when you need it. Coastal Care provides continuity of care to all our clients, and we have been remarkably successful because we take it one step further. Coastal Care caregivers can truly provide the best care possible because we “play” matchmaker and carefully assign regular dependable and compassionate professionals based upon how their skills as a caregiver, as well as their personality and interests, align with you and your needs. Your family, our family, our promise.

How do I obtain medical supplies?

Coastal Care provides free medical supply evaluations, makes arrangements for their delivery and is available 24/7 for related consultations.

How do I know if private care is right for my loved one or me?

Choosing how to care for a loved one is a delicate and heartfelt decision. Fortunately, Coastal Care can help you choose the long-term care option that is right for you and your family. As your trusted resource, we have unique community interaction with senior support, assisted living facilities and nursing homes, as we offer transitional services to these facilities and are a staffing resource to many. Simply call the Coastal Care office to find out about options and even pricing for alternate forms of care that are not home-based.  

Is there a minimum or maximum age for private care?

There are no set age limits for private home care. In fact, while Coastal Care provides service to mostly seniors, we also care for adults and pediatric clients. And whether young or young at heart, client needs vary as much as their ages.

What if Dad moves from home to a health care facility? Can we continue private care then? If so, why would that be helpful?

Sometimes home care needs last longer than expected and families must make a financial decision to put their loved one into an assisted living or a nursing home. To aid in this change, Coastal Care Nursing Associates offers transitional services from the client’s home into facility placement. We routinely move through this entire process with families, from the actual packing and moving, to providing continued services. The service may be reduced, but the ongoing relationship provides peace of mind to both clients and their families. Clients are more at ease because of the continued care by a trusted, familiar caregiver, and their families are happy knowing the caregiver is acting as a facility advocate for their loved ones.

What do we learn about our clients in their residence to create the perfect match and a personalized plan?

Getting to know our clients on a personal level is the fun part our job. There is a general understanding of client needs before visiting a home. Families may choose to start the Make Me a Match (link to make me a match) process online or simply contact us. While in the privacy of our client's residence, we have the opportunity to really develop a personal relationship with each client through a candid discussion about medical and personal needs, client expectations, and wishes. In doing so, and with much listening, we consider all the information  gathered to make the perfect match and plan to meet care needs.

What should I expect during your private care visits?

In addition to learning about you at the first visit, your Coastal Care coordinator will describe what to expect when your caregiver enters your home. Privacy issues are always of concern, and rightfully so since each client’s goal is to maintain their independence. Concerns like these are addressed in part by matching to professional, well-regarded caregivers who will become like family.

What is a typical visit like with a Coastal Care caregiver?

There really isn’t a “typical” visit because each visit is based on your specific needs and requests. As an example, however, you might ask for your caregiver to wake you and help you start your day by assisting with bathing and dressing. Then, they may help you to the kitchen table to read the paper while they fix your breakfast and then start some laundry. Most visits last a few hours, but longer visits, in which your caregiver might help you start your day and stay with you into the evening, are also sometimes necessary. Overnight visits are also possible on an as-needed basis or for safety reasons.

Does Coastal Care require a minimum number of service hours?

No. Everyone’s situation is unique, so we work closely with each family – individually – to tailor our care to meet their specific needs. Since we try to accommodate these differences, we have no minimum in hours of services.

Choose only what you need.

Coastal Care does not require a minimum number of hours of care or a commitment to any specific period of time for services. And our hourly rates are the same regardless of the type or amount of assistance you need. So while you may initially choose care 3 days a week for 4 hours per day, you may later decide to vary these details.

Making changes is easy. During your cost-free weekly reassurance calls, your assigned Private Care Coordinator will review your services, change your schedule and, if need be, assist with your special requests. Our professional and caring team is always at your fingertips as a helpful resource.