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There are many benefits, including:
All of Elder Bridge’s caregivers are interviewed in person and must meet our guidelines for employment. The guidelines include a minimum of two years prior experience as caregivers for the elderly or a CNA certificate. Before a caregiver is employed with Elder Bridge, the caregiver must pass a competency exam and all caregivers must annually take eight hours of training through Elder Bridge. In addition, the caregivers must have references that support their experience and character and be able to communicate effectively with the client and family members.
Elder Bridge provides liability and workers compensation insurance for its caregivers. In addition, the caregivers are bonded for theft. A copy of these policies is available upon request.
Elder Bridge provides both hourly and live-in (24 hour) care. For hourly services, we require that the client agrees to a minimum block of four hours for each scheduled assignment. Elder Bridge is committed to providing only the services that are needed. As a result, the client is not required to commit to any fixed number of days.
If you were to hire a caregiver privately, the client or the responsible family member would be required to perform the following duties and activities: 1) filing payroll (federal and state) tax liabilities; 2) performing employment verification functions and 3) providing insurance coverage for General Liability, Workers Compensation and caregiver bonding. Without this insurance coverage, the family is financially at risk for workers’ compensation payments and liability damages. Elder Bridge performs all of these activities at no extra charge to the client.
In addition to the reference checks and experience requirements, all caregivers are screened for a criminal record and are crossed referenced on multiple registries. Elder Bridge works in conjunction with the Illinois health care worker’s registry to ensure each employee is in good standing. Finally, all caregivers must submit proof of identity and eligibility for employment within the United States.
As employees of Elder Bridge all caregivers are supervised by the nursing staff. Before any caregiver is placed, the caregiver is instructed on the company’s policies and procedures, safety issues within the home, and guidelines for emergency response. Individually each caregiver receives instructions on their specific client assignment. Each caregiver is then responsible for documenting the care they provide in accordance to the clients care plan.
Elder Bridge is focused on meeting the needs of its clients and seniors. To maintain continuity of service, each senior will be assigned specific caregivers. However, there will be occasions (vacations, family emergencies and sickness) when another caregiver may be placed with the senior. Besides, the senior’s condition may require the use of multiple caregivers. If this is required, Elder Bridge will work with the client to minimize disruptions in the continuity of the senior’s care. If a situation arises that you become dissatisfied with your caregiver, we will work with you to find another caregiver as soon as possible.
While each caregiver has been provided guidelines for emergency situations, Elder Bridge provides on-call access to staff 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to assist you. If a caregiver fails to show because of sickness or emergency, the on-call staff will assist you in arranging coverage.
Elder Bridge often assists families by providing short-term relief to the family’s primary caregiver.
Medicare and traditional supplemental insurance policies do not cover our services. However, many long-term care insurance policies do cover our services and often pay a portion of the rate charged. Elder Bridge can assist you in filing these claims.
