Question 1

What is the difference between in-home care and home health care?

Accepted Answer

Home care is a broad term used to describe several forms of care provided in-home. Generally, it covers personal care (bathing, dressing, toileting, feeding, transferring, grooming), homemaking services (light housekeeping and chores) and companionship services, which may include personal shopping, transportation, and socialization. In-home care is paid privately.
Home health care is prescribed by a physician and covered by Medicare or supplemental insurance providers because there is a need for medically skilled services that come from a physician's order. This includes things like registered nurses, physical therapy and occupational therapy.
The difference between home health and personal home care assistance is the necessity for skilled services. Home health care requires skilled services that would come from a physician’s order.

Question 2

Is Celtic Companion Care a Home Care provider or a Home Health Care provider?

Accepted Answer

We are a Home Care provider, and offer in-home care for you or a loved one in the privacy, comfort and familiarity of your own home. We match a professional caregiver---a companion or a home health aide---that matches the personality and preferences of the client.
 
If non-prescribed skilled medical services are deemed necessary by the family, Celtic Companion Care can provide R.N. assistance. However, this would be a private-pay situation, not covered by Medicare or other insurance.

Question 3

What is the difference between a "Companion" and a "Home Health Aide"?"

Accepted Answer

Our professional companions will dedicate the time to assist with things around the home that are becoming challenging, 24/7 if needed. Companions offer safety, companionship, conversation and everday assistance. Some of the services that companions provide include:
 • Meal preparation
 • Respite care
 • Medication reminders
 • Stand-by assistance with walking to ensure safety
 • Stimulating mental awareness
 • Transport to appointments or outings
 • Accompany on shopping trips, or shop on behalf of the client
 • Play games and cards
 • Maintain safety
 
Home Health Aides bridge the gap between nurses and companions. They help monitor vitals, offer medication reminders, ensure good hygiene and promote safety---24/7 if needed, to assist with:
 • Personal hygiene and bathing
 • activities of dailing living/personal care
 • Mobility and transfer, use of equipment
 • Medication administration
Sometimes, a Companion and a Home Health Aide is the same person, who is trained and certified in both services.
 • Nutrition and feeding
 • Safe excercise activity
 • Recording blood pressure, pulse, temperature

Question 4

Why Celtic Companion Care?

Accepted Answer

Celtic Companion Care offers seamless in-home care for you or your loved one---all in the privacy, comfort and familiarity of your own home. Whether you or your loved one needs assistance for a few hours a week or long-term, 24/7/365 care---or anything in between---Celtic Companion Care can help. We match our clients with professionally trained caregivers that suit the clients' preferences and personality.
 
All of our caregivers are:
 • Insured, bonded, drug-tested and background-screened
 • Dependable and affordable
 • Professional and reliable
 • Compassionate, patient and helpful
 • Specifically skilled to work with clients who suffer from Alzheimer's and Dementia, as well as end-of-life care

Question 5

Is your agency licensed by the state and are your caregivers insured and bonded?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Celtic Companion Care is licensed and certified in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. All of our employees are insured and bonded by our agency. We also conduct a thorough background check on each caregiver to ensure that they are trustworthy in your home. This includes a drug screening.

Question 6

How quickly can services begin?

Accepted Answer

Services can begin promptly---same day, if desired.

Question 7

Is there consistency among caregivers?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Celtic Companion Care always strives to provide familiarity and consistency. However, we have an excellent back-up system that guarantees coverage in the event of an emergency, illness, a vacation/personal time off request, etc.

Question 8

Do you conduct personality matches to make sure that caregivers will be a good fit for myself or my loved on?

Accepted Answer

All of our caregivers are kind, compassionate, patient and flexible people. However, we do make every effort to match the right caregiver to each client. During our initial, complimentary in-home consultation, we may ask questions about client preferences/likes/dislikes. We also welcome insight from family members, who know the particular temperments and traits of the patient.

Question 9

Can we arrange for occasional transportation to doctors' appointments?

Accepted Answer

Transportation, especially to medical appointments and procedures, is a popular home care service. It can be arranged in a few hours, but the more notice given, the better. A regular planned schedule can be set up, or the caregiver can be used on an as-needed basis.

Question 10

What should I look for that might indicate that someone needs personal home care assistance?

Accepted Answer

Many people remain very independent as they age, even through injury or illness. But if you think someone could benefit from personal home care and services, here are some things to look for:
 • Is the house tidy?
 • Are there adequate groceries (not just frozen dinners)?
 • Have you noticed any weight loss?
 • Has personal hygiene declined?
 • Does the person seem lonely or withdrawn?
 • Are there any concerns with memory?
 • Has the person recently had a falling incident, when no one was there to assist?
 • Are there mobility issues that are impacting the person's ability to perform routine daily-living tasks?

Question 11

How do I begin services with Celtic Companion Care?

Accepted Answer

Contact us today and we will schedule an appointment to meet with you in your own home. We will discuss any concerns that you have, answer your questions, and assess your needs during this complimentary initial home visit.

Question 12

Are there additional resources that can help me?

Accepted Answer

Yes! There are lots of them, in fact. Here are some links that might be useful:
 
Simple Meds(https://www.simplemeds.com/)
CaregiverStress.com(https://www.caregiverstress.com/)
HelpForAlzheimersFamilies.com(https://www.helpforalzheimersfamilies.com/)
MissingSeniorNetwork.com(https://missingseniornetwork.com/)
AARP(https://www.aarp.org/)
Benefits Check Up(https://www.benefitscheckup.org/)
Boston Elder Info(http://www.elderinfo.org/)
Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs(https://www.mass.gov/orgs/executive-office-of-elder-affairs)

Old Colony Hospice & Palliative Care(https://www.oldcolonyhospice.org/)

Quality home health and personal care for seniors.

FAQs and Resources

If you have a question that hasn't been addressed here, please don't hesitate to contact us!

Quality home health and personal care for seniors.