Frequently Asked Questions about Senior Home Care in Halifax, NS & Surrounding Areas

Learn how Comfort Keepers of Halifax, NS can answer the questions you have about senior home care options.

What is senior home care?

Home care refers to any type of care (medical or non-medical) that is provided to the patient in their home. The type of care includes companionship/homemaking services, personal care services, nursing care, speech, physical or occupational therapy. These services can help maintain or improve your health and can be provided temporarily after a hospital stay, or an ongoing basis if you need continued help to adapt to an illness or injury.

Why should I choose home care as an option?

When we are not feeling well, most of us ask to be home. We enjoy the comfort of our residences and the joy of being with our loved ones. When our loved ones are ill, we try to get them home as soon as possible. Home care is particularly important in times of illness when families desire to be near one another for support.

Home care is a comforting alternative to premature admission to a long-term care facility.

Home care allows for the maximum amount of freedom for the individual. Patients at home can remain active in their customary daily routines while receiving one-on-one care and attention.

Surprisingly our care options can be less expensive than other forms of care. If nursing care is not needed around the clock, senior home care can allow you to create a customized care plan that meets your needs and your budget.

What services does Comfort Keepers® provide?

Comfort Keepers senior home care provides companionship services such as meal preparation, laundry, light housekeeping, grocery shopping/errands, incidental transportation, medication reminders, grooming, live-in service and respite care. We also provide personal care services such as bathing, grooming, and hygiene, mobility assistance, transferring and positioning, toileting and incontinence and feeding/special diet assistance. Specialized services include provide Dementia/Alzheimer’s care and in-home safety technology solutions. Services vary by office.

Are services available 24 hours, 7 days a week?

Yes. Services are available for as little as a few hours a visit up to 24 hours, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Do you provide services to those in nursing homes or retirement homes?

Yes. Comfort Keepers can provide companionship or personal care to residents at retirement homes, nursing homes and hospitals who may desire additional attention or personalized care.

How much does in-home care cost?

Each Comfort Keepers office is independently owned and operated. We encourage you to contact your local office directly for a complete list of products and services available, as well as the rates for your area.

Is there a written plan of care for each client? Is it modified and if so, how often?

The local Comfort Keepers office develops an individualized and completely confidential Plan of Care for each client. The purpose is to document the type of care services needed and when the client would like to initiate care. Once the client, family members, and local office agree on the Plan of Care, the office staff will use that information to recommend the Comfort Keeper who will be delivering the service, establish the schedule and agree to the monitoring and communication.

Plans of Care are reviewed with the client and family at least every six months. The review is an important process to ensure the client is receiving the appropriate level of care and is pleased with the Comfort Keeper providing the care.

How are Comfort Keepers® selected?

Each caregiver, special people we call Comfort Keepers, is an employee who is carefully screened and trained before caring for a client. Each must undergo a rigorous process including national and local criminal background checks, driver’s checks and personal and professional reference checks. All Comfort Keepers are bonded, insured, and covered by Workers’ Compensation insurance for our clients’ peace-of-mind. We strive to hire the very best caregivers to become Comfort Keepers, because we only hire people we would want caring for a member of our own family.

How is My Comfort Keeper chosen for me? How will I meet my Comfort Keeper?

During the initial conversation and the in-home visit, the Client Care Manager will document the services required and the client’s preferences for a Comfort Keeper match. Then, the Client Care Manager selects the best caregiver fit for the client and will arrange an introduction between the client and the Comfort Keeper. We strive to ensure that everyone agrees and understands what services are to be provided.

Will I have the same Comfort Keeper all the time?

At Comfort Keepers we aim to provide caregiver continuity so that a strong bond is formed between our client and their Comfort Keeper. There may of course be times during which an alternative Comfort Keeper is required or do to the degree of care needed, multiple caregivers need to be assigned to the same client.

What if my Comfort Keeper is sick or on vacation?

Each Comfort Keepers office employs a team of caregivers so that your care service will not be interrupted if someone gets sick or goes on vacation. If your Comfort Keeper is unavailable, the Client Care Manager will arrange another caregiver and will contact you in advance of the change. Any interim caregiver will be fully briefed on your plan of care. Our goal is to ensure that services are provided as expected. Your safety and security are a top priority.

What are ADLs and IADLs?

Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) include the basic tasks essential for day-to-day functioning, such as bathing, dressing, grooming, eating, mobility and toileting. Many seniors who require help with such activities are largely independent, but may require help with one or two ADLs.

In some cases, intermittent help from a family member or friend may be all that is needed. However, in many cases, particularly when family or friends are unavailable and the importance of scheduling these activities is critical, informal care arrangements may not be adequate.

Comfort Keepers® offices can provide Personal Care Services to assist our clients with ADLs. Please contact the Comfort Keepers location nearest you or your loved one for more information.

Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs) are considered those activities which are less basic than the traditional ADLs. IADLs, nevertheless, are important in enhancing a client’s quality of life. IADLs include such activities as shopping, paying bills, cleaning, doing the laundry and meal preparation.

Many seniors require assistance with IADLs rather than ADLs. Some seniors want someone to escort them when they are shopping and help them avoid situations that might cause them to fall. Other seniors may welcome assistance with their bill paying and medical appointments.

Comfort Keepers offers an array of companionship and homemaking services to assist our clients with the IADLs. Please contact the Comfort Keepers location nearest you or your loved one for more information.