California has a high dementia population. For example, Santa Cruz has a 10.3% rate of dementia for those 65 and older. This leads to a large need for dementia and Alzheimer’s care in Santa Cruz and the surrounding areas.
Looking for dementia home care can be an overwhelming experience. There are a million questions that you want to ask. Let’s break it down to 5 key questions every family should ask a dementia care agency in California, and our answers.
1. Are you licensed, bonded, and insured?
California’s Assembly Bill (AB) 1217, the Home Care Services Consumer Protection Act, which has been in effect since 2015, mandates background checks, registry listings, and training for caregivers through home care agencies. It is important to ask home care agencies you are considering if they are state-compliant by being licensed and on the state registry.
It is also important that the agency is bonded and insured. You can ask to see proof of coverage.
Asking for their qualification and accreditation ensures you receive professional and trustworthy care.
Our answer
Pacific Angels Home Care is licensed and state-compliant. Our State of California Home Care Organization License number is 444700025. We are also bonded and insured.
2. What training do caregivers receive?
You also want to check that they are complying with the required background checks for caregivers. Ask:
- What is your experience?
- How are the caregivers screened?
- What training do they receive?
- Do they have specialized training for dementia and Alzheimer’s care?
- How are the caregivers monitored?
- Does your staff stay consistent or have a lot of turnover?
Our answer
Pacific Angels specializes in dementia/Alzheimer’s support with 20+ years of experience. All our caregivers are screened, including background checks. They receive specialized training on how to best interact with clients with dementia and Alzheimer’s. Our caregivers are also continuously monitored.
Pacific Angels is a close-knit team that stays consistent. We are a well-reviewed and respected part of the community. Learn more about us.
3. How do you create a personalized dementia care plan?
Another important question every family should ask dementia care agencies is whether their loved one will get a personalized dementia care plan. Ask if you can receive the care plan in writing. It is also important to ask how often the care plans are reviewed and updated.
Our answer
At Pacific Angels, we offer thorough assessments with clear evaluation criteria and detailed care plans. We completely tailor our services to each person’s needs.
Our caregivers monitor clients so they can update care as needs change. We maintain open communication with the clients and their families to build trust and provide peace of mind that their loved ones are receiving the care they need.
4. What is included in services?
To understand potential care plans, it is important to know what services are available.
It is also important to ask all the logistical questions:
- How do you match clients to caregivers?
- What is the backup plan if a caregiver is unavailable?
- Are you available for emergencies?
- Who to contact?
You also want to understand all the cost considerations, such as hourly rates, if there is a minimum number of hours required, after-hours fees, if they handle payroll and taxes, and how billing works.
Our answer
We offer a wide range of services that are tailored to each client’s needs, such as:
- Help manage their schedule or make appointments
- Medication management
- Monitor hydration
- Meal planning nutritious meals
- Grocery shopping and cooking
- Mobility assistance
- Assistance going to the bathroom
- Help with bathing, grooming, and getting dressed
- Companionship care
- Light housekeeping
- Respite care
Pacific Angels offers a free in-home consultation to assess the client’s needs and determine which caregiver would be a good match with the client. We have caregivers available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We are available for regular care and emergency support, and we are transparent with each client about cost and billing logistics.
5. How do you help clients maintain quality of life?
It is also important to ask what they can do to help clients maintain their quality of life and as much independence and control as possible.
See if the agency and caregivers seem actually interested in the client’s life, interests, and routines.
To find out more about how they help clients maintain their quality of life, you can ask:
- What do you do to promote safety?
- What activities do you do to help them have purpose and maintain their cognitive abilities?
- How do you support families?
- How do you manage behavior challenges like wandering, agitation, pacing, confusion, sundowning, refusing care or medication, anger, or aggression?
Our answer
At Pacific Angels, we treat our clients and their families with dignity and respect.
We can go through the home with the clients and identify safety hazards. We can help clean up and fix all hazards to prevent falls. We can also assist clients with deciding which home modifications or adaptive equipment they need, such as ramps, remote light switches, or walk-in bathtubs.
Consistency is important for people with dementia, so a big benefit of aging in place is being able to stay in a familiar environment. Our caregivers go above and beyond to ensure each client’s home environment is safe, comfortable, and supportive.
They also work with the clients to keep their routines consistent. Caregivers can help clients complete their everyday tasks and offer companionship care (where caregivers provide companionship and emotional support). Our kind caregivers will engage clients in conversation, help them with their favorite hobbies, watch movies or read with them, play games, or do puzzles.
We will keep an open line of communication with the families. Pacific Angels provides updates and is glad to answer questions from the family. We also offer respite care for whenever family caregivers need a break and additional support.
As stated above, our caregivers are trained in how to best communicate, redirect, and emotionally support people with dementia and Alzheimer’s. They know how to handle challenging behaviors.
Hire Pacific Angels Home Care for dementia care
Now that you know the questions to ask a dementia care agency and have read our answers, the next step is to set up your free in-home consultation for dementia care in Aptos, Monterey Bay, Santa Cruz, and the surrounding areas.
Pacific Angels Home Care specializes in care for people with Alzheimer’s or dementia. We are available as needed and tailor care to each person’s needs.
Our kind caregivers provide supervision and assistance with daily activities, such as moving around, bathing, grooming, and dressing. We also offer light housekeeping services, meal planning, medication management, and companionship care.
Give us a call today at (831) 708-2876 or reach us online!
