A Host of Services. A Single Focus.
Non-Medical Services
Medical Services
When You Call
Payment Options
Frequently Asked Questions
Non-Medical Services
Here’s just a partial listing of the ways we can help make your life easier:
- Companionship
- Bathing and Grooming
- Care Management
- Dressing
- Errands
- Escorts for shopping and appointments
- Laundry
- Light Housekeeping
- Meal Preparation
Medical Services
Always There also provides the following specialized medical services:
- Pharmaceutical consultation
- RN Medication management
- Nursing Services, such as
- Blood draws to check therapeutic levels -for patients on blood
thinners, Digoxin, and other types of medicine - Wound Care
- Weekly pre-fill of medicine
- Blood draws to check therapeutic levels -for patients on blood
- Disease Education for conditions such as:
- Stroke
- Alzheimer’s
- Parkinson’s
- Diabetes
- Heart and Lung Diseases
- Other skilled nursing needs not covered by insurance
What To Expect When You Call
- A friendly receptionist will direct your call to an experienced manager.
- You will describe the situation which prompted the call. The Always There manager will ask questions to get a better understanding of your needs. The manager will listen to your needs and will discuss the services we offer and the costs of such service through our agency. If it is determined that another agency might better meet your needs, the manager will refer you to such an agency. For instance, if you call about a service that Medicare covers, the manager will refer you to a Medicare home health agency so you do not have to pay out-of-pocket.
- If it appears that Always There can meet your needs, a free, in-home assessment will be scheduled. Typically the assessment is conducted in the client’s home. However, if the client is in the hospital or a nursing facility, the Always There case manager can meet you there instead. Many times we will ask that a family member or other personal representative be present for the assessment, especially if the client does not make personal or business decisions for him/herself due to cognitive impairment.
- At the assessment, a comprehensive plan of care will be developed. The case manager will ask questions about the client’s medical history, current situation, and daily needs. We will determine, with your guidance, those days and times you want a caregiver for assistance. Emergency contact numbers and other logistical information will be discussed as well.
- A deposit for the first week’s service is paid by the client or billing party. If the billing party is not able to attend the assessment, the case manager can handle business matters by telephone, fax, and post.
- Services will begin as soon as the staffing department is able to staff the case (usually within 24 hours) and as soon as business matters are handled.
- Any problems, concerns, complaints, or compliments will be handled promptly and professionally.
- You will NOT be bothered with call-offs and no-shows. If the Always There staffing office needs to find a substitute caregiver, you will be notified of the change.
- You will have peace of mind knowing your loved one is well taken care of in his or her own home (or alternate living environment).
- As his or her needs change, the Always There case manager can reassess and change the staffing pattern to accommodate the situation.
- Some clients use Always There for a short period of recuperation. Others use Always There for long-term, in-home care. Whatever your situation, we offer compassionate care provided by screened and trained caregivers.
Payment Options
Affordable. Yet Priceless.
In many instances, Always There’s services are as affordable as assisted living facilities or nursing homes. Sometimes, it’s even more affordable. Better still, we enable your loved ones to remain in their own homes—where they want to be.
We understand the financial burdens that can come from home care. That’s why Always There offers you a number of different payment options, including:
- Private Pay/Family Pay
- Long-Term Care Insurance
- Worker’s Compensation
- Direct billing through your bank Trust Officer
- Some Private Insurance
- Veterans Benefits
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Home Health Care and In-Home Care?
Home Health must be ordered by a physician. There are very specific guidelines for eligibility. It is paid for by Medicare or your health insurance and it is usually only approved for a short length of time following a hospital stay. See the Resources page on this Web site for more information.
In-Home Care (sometimes called Private Duty) is usually available for anyone who is interested. Most insurance companies will not pay for it, but some long-term care policies will. Most people who receive this type of service pay for it privately.
In some states, both Home Health agencies and In-Home Care companies can provide skilled nursing and home health aides. However, only In-Home Care companies can provide you with “sitters” to help with escorts, light housekeeping, and other unskilled needs. See the Resources page on this Web site for more detailed information on this topic.
Do you have to sign a contract agreeing to services for a specific length of time?
No. The only thing you agree to is: (1) not to hire our caregivers privately, (2) to pay your bill. While we do require a deposit to begin services, this deposit is refundable on your final invoice. We do not require that you commit to using our service for any specific length of time.
What is the benefit of hiring an agency that is locally owned verses a large corporation?
Locally-owned agencies such as Always There In-Home Care, Inc., can offer you personal service without a lot of red tape. If there is ever a question or problem, the old saying…”The buck stops here” comes into play. The owner of Always There has this level of commitment to customer service. You are never just a number or an account with Always There.
What kind of employees do you hire?
Our employees come from a multitude of sources. We hire college students, retired personnel, nurses, certified nursing assistants, home health aides, caregivers, counselors, and case managers. Some of our employees come to us with years of experience, others we train ourselves. All employees must pass a vigorous screening and training process in order to be considered for placement in a client’s home, including:
- Thorough criminal background screen
- Drug screen
- Tuberculosis (TB) screen
- Verification of work references
- OSHA Universal Precautions and Infection Control
- Motor Vehicle Record screening
Always There In-Home Care is bonded and carries Worker’s Compensation insurance on each employee. These are important protections for our clients.
What kind of patients can your caregivers take care of?
Most of our clients are senior citizens, but we have taken care of individuals of all ages. We have taken care of people with strokes, Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, Parkinson’s disease, diabetes, arthritis, mental illnesses, heart disease, hip fractures, and many, many more conditions.
How do I pay for the services? Do I pay the individual employee or the agency?
You will pay the agency. Unlike some In-Home care agencies, we are not a “sitter-finding” service. We do not use third party contractors. Each caregiver and nurse is fully employed and insured by Always There. By paying the agency instead of the individual caregiver, you will not be responsible for paying employee taxes at the end of the year. Always There handles these issues for all its employees. You will receive a return-addressed envelope in your bill for your convenience.
Where are your services available?
Always There is located in Birmingham, Alabama, and has a branch office called Accordance Home Care in Huntsville, Alabama. The Birmingham office serves all of Jefferson County and most of Shelby County – basically the greater Birmingham Metropolitan area. Accordance Home Care serves five counties in north Alabama: Madison, Limestone, Jackson, Marshall and DeKalb. In addition, we are in the process of expanding our business. An Always There or Accordance office may be available in your area soon. For now, if you live outside of these areas, you can contact your local hospital (Social Services Department), mental health agency, or Area Agency on Aging for a list of resources available to you in your area.
What will your employees do for me?
Each client receives a free in-home assessment in order to customize the services provided. Popular services include: assistance bathing and dressing, assistance grooming, meal preparation, light housekeeping, laundry, in-hospital companionship, errands, and escorts to appointments.
Always There and Accordance also provide private-duty nursing services in Alabama and some other states. Popular services provided by the nurse include: venipuncture (blood draw) for lab work, pre-fill of a weekly pill box, testing blood sugar, wound care, and taking vital signs. These services are provided only in states whose laws allow such care.