Frequently Asked Questions

Elderlink provides both hourly and 24-hour live-in caregivers. Coverage can be provided in two ways. The first is with two care providers, each covering one 12-hour shift per day. The second is with one caregiver working a 24-hour shift. It is important to understand the dynamics of the later arrangement. In order to staff this way, the client must be sleeping fairly well through the night and not requiring assistance more than twice, or staying up for extended periods of time during the night. In this arrangement the caregiver is available to the client 24 hours per day, but this does not mean that they are working 24 hours per day. The caregiver can be expected to work the equivalent of eight hours per day and to be on call the remaining 16 hours of each day.

In most instances, when the caregiver is expected to do the grocery shopping, a cash advance is left in the home for this purpose and the caregiver submits receipts for purchases. Other arrangements can be made at the discretion of the client or responsible party.

Driving is part of the caregiver's duties and they are not paid extra for driving. However, if a caregiver uses their vehicle, they will most likely request to be reimbursed for gas and the use of their car. We suggest they are reimbursed at the mileage rate currently allowed by the IRS. When the caregiver transports the client, we recommend that the caregiver obtain a written release of liability from the client or responsible party. If a client's car is used by the caregiver, we suggest that the client discuss driving arrangements with his or her automobile insurer to be sure the vehicle is properly insured.

The standard set by similar home health agencies in the Denver metro area is that the following days are paid holidays for the caregivers. Normally, the payment for the following worked holidays is one and one-half the regular rate of pay.

New Year's Day ~ Easter ~ Memorial Day ~ Independence Day ~ Labor Day ~ Thanksgiving ~ Christmas

On 24-hour shifts, a caregiver cannot avoid the need to make or receive some personal calls. Caregivers have been asked to limit personal calls.

On shifts when the caregiver is sleeping at the client's home there must be a separate, appropriate sleeping area provided.

It is an expectation that adequate food will be provided by the client or family if a caregiver is on duty for 24 hours. It is usual that the caregiver eat the same meals that are prepared for the client. When this is not reasonable due to the client's food preferences or dietary restrictions, caregivers may expect that additional food will be purchased. The caregiver is expected to prepare meals for the client and for themselves. When there are guests in the home, caregivers should not be expected to prepare additional meals unless they have been consulted and agreed to do so.

If a caregiver is not meeting the expectations of the client or client's family, we would expect that the situation be discussed with the caregiver at the first opportunity. If no satisfactory resolution is found, Elderlink will act as a mediator for the caregiver and the client. At the client's or responsible party's request, we will promptly replace a caregiver if the client is not satisfied.

Caregivers are typically paid on a weekly or bi-weekly basis. Elderlink bills once a month for our service, with the invoices going out at the beginning of each month for the month that just passed. Our services are private pay or may be reimbursed through a Long Term Care insurance policy.

Elderlink's office is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Mountain Time. For non-emergency situations, please call the office during these hours. Elderlink's phones are monitored on nights and weekends. In the event of a staffing emergency, you may call the office and leave a message. Your call will be returned quickly.