Oxford
HomeCare 
PO
BOX 492
OXFORD, MS 38655
OFFICE: 662-236-0071
CELL: 662-607-3045
THE
AREA'S ONLY
NON-MEDICAL CARE FOR SENIORS AND DISABLED PERSONS.
1.)
What makes Oxford HomeCare different?
We work hard to ensure that each client has a
compatible relationship with their PCA. You can be confident that we
will be there when we are scheduled to be there.
2.) Is
Oxford HomeCare a Registry or Full Service Agency?
Oxford HomeCare is a full service agency. We
are responsible for deducting all
payroll taxes, so the client will not have to claim these deductions
for the IRS at the end of the year. All PCA's are employees of Oxford
HomeCare and not private contractors. If the client ever has a
concern with a PCA or services, Oxford HomeCare is obligated to
reprimand or solve all problems - the client is never burdened with
this. Therefore, Oxford HomeCare is a full service agency and is
accountable. A
registry is not accountable and only locates
caregivers.
If you have any abuse or other troubles with your caregiver, a registry
is not accountable - the client is! Please consider these differences
when choosing a home care company.
3.) How do you
select your PCA's?
Oxford HomeCare uses an extensive screening
process with all prospective PCA's. All PCA's are "hand-picked" by our
staff. In addition, Oxford HomeCare conducts phone screening, a lengthy
interview process and
a detailed orientation before PCA's are dispersed to a clients
home. All of our PCA's undergo a thorough reference and criminal
background check. We
only hire PCA's who are passionate about caring for seniors and
disabled persons.
4.) What are the
backgrounds of your PCA's?
Our PCA's
are both male and female, ranging in age from college students to
people in their sixties who have a lot to give to others. These
wonderful people come from all walks of life. Some have been
professional PCA's, such as retired nurses or nursing
assistants. Some have found that office jobs don't allow them to
express their needs to share with others. Many of them have cared for
family members or neighbors on a long-term basis. When we interview,
we look for a warm and caring nature, good communication skills,
practicality and common sense, and a history of dependability.
5.) Can I help
choose the PCA and/or meet them in advance?
Yes, our clients can help select their PCA
(based on availability) and we discuss the selection process during our
in-home visit. We pay extra attention to assigning a PCA that will be
compatible and meet your service requirements.
6.) Does someone
from
your office contact us to let us know the name of our PCA or does
someone come out to introduce our PCA to us?
After an initial screening and assessment is
completed, the Oxford HomeCare staff person selects a PCA(s) to fulfill
the schedule for the client. On the very first scheduled visit the
PCA(s) that will fulfill the assignment is introduced to the client by
a staff person (usually the same person who completed the initial
assessment) prior to the first shift.
7.) Do I get the
same PCA every time?
We set a high priority on continuity. Whenever
possible the same PCA(s)
will be assigned for all shifts. When we first sit down with you we
spend time during the conversation
discussing the types of persons you are comfortable with, as well
as covering your service needs and the schedule you would like us to
follow. When we assign your PCA, or team of PCA's
(depending on your needs), we take all of that information into
account. If you are happy with the person or people chosen for you, the
staffing will not change.
8.) Can I change a
PCA?
You are always able to change a PCA,
for any reason. We only ask that you give us adequate time to find a
suitable replacement. If you are in any way less than perfectly
satisfied, we will change staffing until you are satisfied.
9.) What if my PCA is sick and cannot make it to my
house?
We have trained professionals
assigned to each client's case. These individuals understand the needs
and wants of our clients, as well as the skill level of our caregivers.
Our trained professionals will find a replacement to ensure every
client has coverage when needed.
10.) Does your
office have a supervisor "On Call" at all times?
Because our clients
need service at all times of the day and night, our supervisors are
available at all times. Our telephones automatically forward to the
cell phone of the supervisor on call whenever the office is closed.
Although we do ask that calls are limited to questions about service
during the night and on the weekends, you will always reach someone who
is familiar with your situation and is able to help.
11.) Are your
services available in hospitals, nursing homes or assisted living
facilities?
Yes, a growing number
of our clients are in a setting other than their own home and we
have had huge success working in facilities of all types. We provide
companionship to care facility residents who require additional
attention and/or personalized assistance.
12.) Is
there a minimum number of hours that Oxford HomeCare will provide
services?
We have a minimum billing time of two (2) hours each
time a P.C.A. provides services for you.
13. ) Can I adjust a
schedule once services have begun?
As
long as you meet our two hour-per-visit minimum and let us know 7 days
in advance, you are welcome to
adjust your schedule to meet your changing needs.
14.) Is
there a minimum length of time that Oxford HomeCare will provide
services?
Our housekeeping services require a contract length of 3 months
minimum. This ONLY applies if you do not use our sitter services. Other
than that our only other "length" requirement is that you give a
minimum of seven (7) days notice prior to discontinuing Oxford HomeCare
services
15.) Can PCA's bathe
clients?
No, we cannot bathe a
client, but we can help someone who is unsteady into the tub or shower,
provide stability during the bath or shower, hand the client anything
he or she might need, prompt him or her as to the proper use if there
is confusion, help the client back out, and help him or her to get
dried off and dressed.
16.)
Do
your Sitters do more than just "sit"?
YES. Our sitters will prepare meals, do laundry, light housekeeping,
run errands for you, help you with a bath and anything else you need
within reason. They will also, take you to do errands, take you
to the doctor, or just take you riding to visit friends. We do not
charge extra for our sitters to do more than just "sit".
17.) How
do you determine how much
I will pay?
We evaluate each client on a case by case basis. Not all
clients needs are the same, therefore all clients should not pay the
same rate.
18.) What
is the most I will pay?
You will not pay
more than $10.00 per hour for one person requiring
care in the home and $4.00 more per hour for each additional person in
the home requiring care. The more hours of care you require in a week,
the less you will pay per hour.
19.)
Who pays the
PCA - me or Oxford HomeCare?
Oxford HomeCare handles all the payroll, taxes,
and administrative responsibilities for you. We
insist that the PCA never get paid directly from you. Any payments made
directly to a PCA will be considered a gift and not part of your weekly
charge for services.
20.) Do I have to sign a contract to keep services for
a specified period of time?
Oxford HomeCare asks that you sign a
service agreement, giving us permission to care for you or your loved
one. There is nothing in the agreement that ties you down to a
specified period of time (unless you are requesting only housekeeping
services) - We are flexible to the needs of our clients
and recognize the fact that services may change as
situations change. You may cancel services at anytime with a 7 day
minimum written notice.
21.) Does Medicare/Medicaid cover the cost of services?
Medicare/Medicaid does not cover the level
of care we provide. However there are other options available. If the
client has a long term care policy, the policy may cover the cost of
services. Another payment option would be private/family pay.
Definitions
of our terms:
P.C.A. -
Personal Care Attendant
Light Housekeeping - Vacuuming,
sweeping,
mopping, straightening up, linen changes, washing dishes. Basically
clean up of DAILY living. We will NOT clean up
a home that has not been cleaned in months with trash on the floor,
moldy dishes in the sink, etc.
Diet Monitoring - Making sure the
client eats
or doesn't eat what he/she is supposed to. For example, if the client
is on an 1800 calorie diet, we will make sure they stay within that
limit. Or if they
have restrictions on things such as salt or sugar, we will make sure to
follow the restrictions set by their medical providers.
Medication Monitoring - Making sure that
the
client is taking the right medications at the time they are to be
taken. Also, making sure they do not take things such as aspirin if
they are on blood thinners (unless told to do so by a medical
professional). And of course making sure they have an adequate supply
of
medications by either informing the responsible family member or by
contacting the pharmacy used by the client for a refill.
Errands - Shopping, bill
paying, etc.
Client Transportation - Taking the client
anywhere they need to go...doctors appointments, shopping, visiting
friends, or just riding around to look at the sights.
Hygiene
Assistance
- If the client is capable of getting in and out of the bathtub with
assistance we will help bathe them. We will also assist with
things such as brushing teeth, shaving, dressing, etc. We
will also do bed baths if needed.
If you have further questions that
are not answered here, please do not hesitate to contact us.