InformationPACKET

2 August 30, 2016 ASK...for Home Care INFORMATION PACKET: Message from the Founder

Message�from�the�FounderASK...for Home Care

e may not be your first stop on the journey to find care, but we wantto be your last. Located in the heart of beautiful mid-coast Maine,

we have been providing care and services to the elderly for more than thirtyyears. We respect how difficult it is to decide about care, so we have designedour literature to facilitate your search. Since we can’t anticipate all yourquestions or concerns, we encourage you to contact us if you think we mightbe a solution for you.

To the elderly and their families:

ank�you�for�inquiring�about�the�services�of�ASK...for Home Care.e�enclosed�information�will�not�only�introduce�you�to�these�servicesbut�also�guide�you�through�the�decision�making�process�involved�inaccessing�care.

Whatever�organizations�or�individuals�you�choose:

e Know the Provider

e Know What Makes em Unique

e Know What It Costs (Fee Schedule)

e Know the Truth About Hired Help (Employee/Client Relationship)

e Know the Alternatives

e Know Where to Find em

Good�luck�on�your�journey�and�don’t�forget�to�ASK for�help!

Sincerely,

Joanne MillerFounder

A homeenvironment,

where one issurrounded bycaring, loving

family andfriends, offers

the idealsetting for

healing. Afterall, how can

there be abetter placethan home?

– Leo Buscaglia

3 August 30, 2016 ASK...for Home Care INFORMATION PACKET: Know Your Provider

Know�Your�ProviderASK...for Home Care

hatever organizations or individuals you choose, be certain to knowtheir true mission. “ASK” for a philosophy statement and history.

PhilosophyASK…for Home Care is�committed�to�enhancing�the�lives�of�our�senior�citizens�and�en-suring�that�they�achieve�their�maximum�level��of�independence�and�self-actualizationin�as�home-like�a�setting�as�possible.�We�support�environments�that�enable�aging�inplace�and�opportunities�to�interact�with�others.�We�encourage�respite�for�family�care-givers,�while�maintaining�their�interest�and�involvement�in�the�care�of�their�loved�ones.We�believe�in�the�efficient�utilization�of�staff,�supplies�and�space�to�provide�cost�effectiveservices�without�sacrificing�quality.�We�respect�and�revere�our�elders�and�believe�thatthey�have�as�much�to�offer�us�as�we�do�them.�With�these�beliefs�in�mind,�we�promiseto�deliver�the�very�best�care�possible.

History�of�ASKASK…for Home Care started�in�1982�as�Associated�Services�of�all�Kinds�in�a�rentedroom�at�the�old�Knox�Hospital�with�second�hand�furniture�and�an�old�beat-up�type-writer.�As�funding�became�available�for�home�care�services�and�the�support�for�deinsti-tutionalization�increased,�ASK…for Home Care flourished.�In�time,�it�became�apparentthat�the�cost�for�homecare,�both�to�government�and�private�individuals,�was�becomingprohibitive.�In�an�effort�to�make�more�efficient�use�of�resources,�ASK…for Home Carebegan�providing�staffing�for�the�Homesteads,�shared�living�residences�licensed�for�foodand�lodging.

More�than�thirty�years�later,�with�the�same�passion�for�excellence,�ASK…for HomeCare continues�to�develop�unique�and�innovative�services�to�support�the�independentspirit�of�the�elderly.

“We have been in association a long time now and I want to take this opportunity to expressour heartfelt thanks for the understanding you always showed through the years. As I'm sureyou know, it is always difficult to turn over the care of a loved one to others whom one doesnot know, but the kind and caring people you sent gave me and my family much relief.Again, please accept our sincerest thanks and gratitude for the long and faithful service youpeople provided.” - Patient’s Family Member

…you havean excellent

programin operation- keep up the

good work.

4 August 30, 2016 ASK...for Home Care INFORMATION PACKET: Know What Makes Them Unique

Know�What�Makes�em�UniqueASK...for Home Care

sk for references from satisfied customers. Learn about the reputationof the company. Know what makes them unique.

“ere�will�never�be�words�enough�to�thank�you�for�being�there�for�us�during�this�tough�time.We�appreciate�you�and�your�organization�so�very�much.�You�are�an�angel!” e “I�am�so�gladyou�folks�were�there�to�help�when�I�really�had�reached�the�end�of�my�rope.” e “Excellentgroup�of�caretakers.” e “You�do�a�good�job�and�make�the�people�feel�at�home.” e “Whosays�instant�decisions�don’t�work?�ere�certainly�wasn’t�any�waffling�about�our�decision�tomove�Mom�into�the�Homestead�and�it�did�work�very�well.�We�couldn’t�have�asked�for�moreand�certainly�have�experienced�less.�Your�frankness�and�allowing�me�to�be�frank�have�been�won-derful.” e “Just�a�quick�note�to�express�our�deep�thanks�for�your�time,�insight�and�empathy.How�refreshing!�It�has�been�a�very�stressful�year�and�particularly�of�late�with�provider�issues.�Itfelt�good�to�have�a�connection�that�was�both�comforting�and�filled�with�promise.�If�our�meetingwas�any�indication�-�you�all�obviously�do�a�great�job!” e “ank�you�again�for�all�of�the�gen-uine�wonderful�care�you�gave�to�our�Mother.” e “I�phoned�my�father�last�night�to�wish�hima�Happy�Birthday�and�he�was�in�a�great�mood.�It�soon�became�apparent�why�as�he�started�totell�me�about�his�day.�‘Today�was�the�best�birthday�I’ve�had�in�years.’�en�he�went�on�to�tellme�about�the�birthday�card�complete�with�signatures�and�to�describe�in�detail�the�birthday�cakeshaped�like�a�television�set�with�the�remote�control�on�the�side.�He�also�mentioned�how�happyhe�is�to�be�in�the�Homestead�because�of�the�friendly�and�caring�staff.�Just�about�every�time�Icall�he�also�mentions�the�meals�and�how�good�the�food�tastes.�e�care,�comfort,�and�respectyou�give�each�and�every�day�is�deeply�appreciated.” e “I�can�feel�confident,�after�my�last�threeyears�of�dealing�with�the�elderly�problems�out�there�in�the�cruel,�hard,�world,�that�when�I�com-pliment�you�and�your�organization�for�the�excellent�management�and�services�that�you�providedmy�mother�-�I�know�what�I’m�talking�about.�I�should�have�removed�her�from�Florida�muchearlier�during�her�deterioration�process.�But�it�was�comforting�to�hear�her�compliments�aboutyour�staff�and�their�efforts�to�make�her�comfortable.�You�have�an�excellent�program�in�operation-�keep�up�the�good�work.” e “ank�you�for�being�there.�Your�people�were�courteous�and�re-liable.” e “All�our�family�would�like�to�express�their�gratitude�for�the�loving�care�that�yougave�to�Agnes�during�her�last�years.�She�could�not�have�spent�those�years�in�a�better�place�norlived�as�long�anywhere�else.�Bless�you�all.” e “ank�you�so�much�for�all�the�wonderful�caregiven�to�Mom�during�her�stay�with�you�at�the�Homestead.�She�recovered�so�rapidly�from�herillness�once�she�was�with�you�and�your�crew.�I�think�having�such�good�cooking�and�three�mealsa�day�was�her�biggest�help�to�her�better�health.�She�certainly�enjoyed�all�her�friends�and�thefolks�who�work�with�you.” e “ank�you�for�providing�expert�and�personal�care�to�our�motherduring�her�stay�at�the�Homestead.�She�had�been�in�three�nursing�homes�prior�to�coming�toyour�establishment.�e�Homestead�stands�head�and�shoulders�above�those�facilities.�Momthought�a�great�deal�of�the�caregivers�and�cooks,�always�commenting�on�the�wonderful�careand�the�delicious�meals�she�received.�She�had�come�to�call�the�Homestead�home.�We�wouldrecommend�your�services�to�anyone�who�wants�the�best�of�care�for�aging�relatives�and�friends.”

Excellent…Refreshing

…Comforting…Filled with

promise…GenuineWonderful…Friendlyand caring

…Good food…Respect

…Courteousand reliable

…Loving…you are an

angel.

5 August 30, 2016 ASK...for Home Care INFORMATION PACKET: Know What It Costs (Fee Schedule)

Fee�ScheduleASK...for Home Care

Skilled�Nursing�ServicesREgIsTEREd NURsE OR LICENsEd PRACTICAL NURsE(Minimum Charge $80) ................................................................................................................$80 per hour

After Hours, Weekends, Holidays .............................................................................................$120 per hour

CERTIFIEd NURsEs’ AssIsTANTs sERvICEs(Minimum Charge $52) ..................................................................................................................$29 per hour

Holidays .................................................................................................................................$43.50per hour

Ancillary�ServicesHOME CARE AIdE sERvICEs (Minimum Charge $48)Personal Support Specialists, Nurses’ Assistants, Homemakers, Companions .................................$27 per hour

Holidays ................................................................................................................................$40.50 per hour

Additional transportation charge (groceries, errands, doctor appt., etc.) ..............................................$100 per mile

REsPITE sERvICEsASK…for Home Care provides respite care at the Homesteads atOwls Head and Cushing on a flexible, hourly basis, in conjunctionwith Homeshare, Inc. for a combined cost ................................................................$12�per hour/$240 per day

Holidays.....................................................................................................................$18 per hour/$360 per day

INsURANCE BILLINg ........................................................................................................$40 per hour

CAsE sET-UP FEE ..................................................................................................$150�(Initials _____�)

If services are provided within one month of signature date,the fee will be credited to those services. If services are not providedwithin one month of signature date, we will retain the fee.

______________________________________________________________________________________Signature Date

6 August 30, 2016 ASK...for Home Care INFORMATION PACKET: Know the Truth About Hired Help

e Truth About Hired HelpBefore you decide to hire help, know the facts...

1) If�you�hire�home�health�care�workers�directly,�you�may�be�liable�for�Social�Security,�Unem-ployment,�Withholdings�and�other�payroll�obligations�when�you�discover,�often�too�late,that�the�IRS�does�not�consider�private�duty�nurses�and�home�health�workers�as�“IndependentContractors”�in�most�situations.�Compare�prices�only�after�calculating�all�the�costs.

2) Homeowners�insurance�usually�does�not�cover�workers�in�the�home,�so�they�should�be�cov-ered�by�Workers’�Comp�as�a�protection�against�law�suits�for�personal�injury,�a�common�oc-currence�amongst�health�care�workers.

3) You�should�check�references�and�do�background�checks,�and�not�assume�everyone�is�as�hon-est�and�trustworthy�as�you�are.�Fraud�and�financial�exploitation�against�the�elderly�are�grow-ing�and�you�need�to�avoid�this�as�much�as�possible�by�being�especially�careful�whom�youallow�in�your�home.

4) Workers� should� be� supervised� and� trained,� as� they� could� lack� the� expertise� to� noticeproblems�that�need�to�be�addressed�by�a�medical�professional.�Early�intervention�can�oftenprevent�emergencies�and�hospitalization.

5) Direct� care� workers� should� not� be� given� medical� responsibilities,� such� as� dispensingmedications,�without�proper� licensure� and�medical� orders.�ere� is� no� assurance� thatmedications� in� the�home�are�current�or� the� instructions�on� the�bottles�have�not�beenchanged.�Also,�there�needs�to�be�a�way�to�record�that�medications�have�been�taken�properlyor�haven’t�been�misused.

6) Workers�should�be�accountable�for�hours�worked,�with�a�written�record�of�the�work�theyperformed.

ese� are� only� a� few� of� the� things� that� you� should� consider� when� hiring� help� directly.A��publication�that�we�share�with�clients�to�educate�them�regarding�their�tax�obligations�is�avail-able�at�www.irs.gov.

ASK...for Home Care has�been�providing�trusted�home�care�for�over�thirty�years�and�can�help�theelderly�and�their�families�avoid�the�pitfalls�listed�above.�Our�fees�include�all�payroll�obligations,in�addition�to�background�checks,�medical�oversight�and�24/7�scheduling.�We�also�offer�valuablerespite�services�at�the�Homesteads�for�family�caregivers,�by�the�hour,�day,�week�or�month�for�aslittle�as�$10�per�hour.�Respite�from�caregiving�responsibilities�can�prolong�your�ability�to�carefor�your�family�members.

AsK...for Home Care(207)�354-7077�or 1-800-876-8418

www.askforhomecare.com • ask@askforhomecare.com

7 August 30, 2016 ASK...for Home Care INFORMATION PACKET: Know the Truth About Hired Help (Employee/Client Relationship)

Employee/Client�RelationshipASK...for Home Care

Following is ASK...for Home Care’s policy regarding Employee/Client Relationship,which all of our employees sign and agree to:

Employee/Client RelationshipASK...for Home Care clients are customers, not employers of ASK...for Home Care employees.Because of their customer status, employees may not discuss work-related problems or issues,direct employment or wage with clients. If clients initiate conversation regarding these issues,they should be referred to the Administrator.

Many clients, especially home care clients who never ran businesses of their own, are notaware of the expense and bookkeeping involved in hiring employees directly. Agreeing to workdirectly for clients without first advising them of their responsibilities under the Law, impli-cates employees in any improper reporting and/or payment of wages, taxes and insurance.

Employees may never suggest that clients hire them directly or indicate in any way that theymay be available for hire directly without first advising ASK...for Home Care. ese actionsare considered unethical and will result in termination of employment.

We�ask�clients�to�notify�us�if�our�employees�inquire�about�direct�employment�as�they�are�in�violation�of�ourpolicy.�To�honor�and�support�the�agreement�that�we�make�with�our�employees�and�in�respect�for�the�investmentthat�we�have�made�in�recruiting,�screening,�orienting,�training�and�supervising�our�staff,�we�ask�our�clients�notto�recruit�our�employees�to�work�directly�for�them.�In�addition,�most�of�our�employees�do�not�understandwhat�the�requirements�are�to�work�directly�and�do�not�have�established�businesses�that�qualify�for�“independentcontractor”�status.�Attached�is�information�that�may�be�helpful�when�considering�hired�help.

Please�sign�below�to�acknowledge�that�you�have�received�this�information�and�agree�not�to�solicit�ASK...forHome Care employees�to�work�directly�for�you.

______________________________________________________________________________________Client/Representative Date

______________________________________________________________________________________Print Client Name

8 August 30, 2016 ASK...for Home Care INFORMATION PACKET: Know the Alternatives

Know�the�AlternativesASK...for Home Care

In�recognition�of�the�escalating�cost�of�home�care�and�the�desire�of�elders�to�age�in�place�in�home-like�settings,the�homesharing�model�was�developed�as�an�alternative�to�expensive�home�care�and�equally�expensive�medical,institutional�settings.

e�Homesteads�at�Cushing�and�Owls�Head,�which�are�licensed�for�Food�&�Lodging,�rent�rooms�to�individualswho�desire�this�accommodation.��Home�health�services�are�provided,�when�needed,�by�ASK…for�Home�Care,a�licensed�home�health�provider,�or�other�individuals�or�providers,�including�services�that�may�be�covered�byinsurance.

Not�only�do�the�Homesteads�provide�short�term�accommodations�as�respite�for�family�caregivers�(by�the�houror�by�the�day),�but�they�also�provide�long�term�accommodations(by�the�month)�for�individuals�who�want�tolive�in�a�supportive�setting,�where�they�can�age�in�place�successfully.

e�Homestead�at�Cushing

e�Homestead�at�Owls�Head

Please email katrina@askforhomecare.com or call 354-7077 for additional information, availability, prices and tours of the Homesteads.

32 Lover’s LaneCushing, ME 04563

Directions:One mile from the omastonbridge, turn right onto Lovers Lane,second house on the left, #32.

7 North shore driveOwls Head, ME 04854

Directions:7 North Shore Drive, corner of

Route 73 and North Shore Drive.

9 August 30, 2016 ASK...for Home Care INFORMATION PACKET: Know the Alternatives

(207) 354-70771-800-876-8418www.askforhomecare.comwww.homeshareinc.comask@askforhomecare.com

e’s no place likethe Homesteads...

...to age in place with home healthservices as needed.

ASK...for Home Care

10 August 30, 2016 ASK...for Home Care INFORMATION PACKET: Know Where to Find Them

Know�Where�to�Find�em

AsK...for Home Care641�St.�George�Road

South�omaston,�ME�04858(207)�354-70771-800-876-8418

ask@askforhomecare.comwww.askforhomecare.com

Directions: (From Route 1 north or south) Turn down Route 131(Saint George Road) at Montpelier in omaston. Go 3.4 miles passingHarbor Road Veterinarian Clinic (Log Cabin) on the left. Take the next

driveway on the right. Sign by road reads “Starfish Center”.Google maps is accurate, GPS may not be.

...the small,rural setting

is much nicerthan the

large,impersonal

facilityI moved from- much easierto get around

and fewerresidents and

staff to getto know.Love the

water view!