Frequently Asked Questions

If needed we can generally provide services within an hour. We are very responsive to your needs and it is not always possible to predict when you will need care. Since we always try to match the caregiver to the client from a personality standpoint, the more notice we have before services start the better a job we can do for you.

We are not the cheapest service in the area, but we are also not the most expensive, though you will feel like we provide the most elite service once you start with us.  Because all services and schedules are tailored to the needs of the client, and with the array of Adelmo services to choose from for each client, the services needed and that cost are determined at the initial consultation meeting.  There is no charge for the consultation visit. Currently in SW Missouri Companies charge between $19 and $21 an hour for their base service. So, you can see there is not a lot of difference in pricing. For a 5 hour shift you are talking a $10 difference.  You need to be comfortable with the company you are going to work with.

No. Once your rate is determined, it is always the same whether you are receiving service on days, nights, weekdays or weekends. We feel that this is the simplest fee schedule for our clients, their families and us to understand.  There are no hidden charges. This way the client is never surprised. The only exception is if you receive service on a major holiday (i.e., Christmas, Easter, etc.), in which case a higher rate is charged for that day.

Outwardly it is often cheaper to hire an independent caregiver from an ad or even from an employment agency, but ultimately it could be the most expensive decision you have ever made. While there are many good, independent caregivers there are also risks involved   First of all, this person will probably not be bonded should any of your valuables turn up missing. They will also likely not be insured for liability within your home so if the caregiver is injured while in your employ, you would be liable for medical care and any disability. Furthermore, if the person is not reporting their income, you may be held liable for payroll taxes by the government.  As well, you could be liable for unemployment benefits should you ever discontinue your relationship with that caregiver. In addition to all this, you would have the responsibility of finding a replacement if the caregiver gets sick or otherwise cannot be there for you. And finally, there is no guarantee that they are properly trained to provide professional, trustworthy service to you or your loved one. At Adelmo Family Care, this is provided as part of the caregiver’s employment by us.

Absolutely! They are all experienced and receive additional training upon being hired.  We have excellent caregivers who truly have a passion for providing care and they are OUR employees, thoroughly interviewed, screened and background/referenced checked (state and national), trained and oriented, bonded and insured. Many of our caregivers have nurses aide training as well. In addition, we look for caregivers who have had the life experiences of raising their own children as well as caring for their parents or grandparents at some point in the past.  We feel that these experiences are invaluable and one of the guiding philosophies of our founders is that they will never hire someone that they wouldn’t have felt comfortable placing with their own parents.

All of our caregivers receive continuous mandatory training using a comprehensive, nationally recognized, online training program specifically tailored for in-home caregivers. The topics covered range from basic skills to infection prevention and control, to bathing, personal grooming, as well as the body mechanics of lifting. All of the on-line training is augmented by on-site, hands-on training for many specialized skills.

Yes. Adelmo Family Care can arrange for an introduction by our Client Relations Manager for you and your caregiver to meet prior to beginning services.  But we pride ourselves on our ability to match you with a caregiver that will be a good match for you. As with all things the more time we have before beginning services with you the better we are at matching a caregiver to you and your situation.  If you call us at noon for a 2:00pm discharge from the hospital we have a lower success rate at matching our clients and caregivers as would be expected. But at any time while we are providing services if you do not like your caregiver another can be brought in.

Adelmo Family Care makes every effort to send the caregiver with whom you are familiar. If your regular caregiver is unable to work a scheduled shift due to illness or some other emergency, we will provide a suitable substitute. Naturally, we will keep you informed of any changes. Our goal is to establish a long-term match between client and caregiver, and to keep the same caregiver with a client as long as the client is satisfied. This is based upon our experience that developing a strong rapport and trust with your caregiver is a vital component to a successful home care experience. In short, we want to avoid the “revolving door” of caregivers. However, for very practical reasons this is dependent on the level and frequency of service. We always want to have, at least, one back-up that you know.

Adelmo Family Care has achieved an excellent reputation as a top-quality caregiver service. Our growth has been due primarily to word-of-mouth referrals from satisfied clients and their families. We remain in close contact with our clients, families and caregivers to ensure your satisfaction with all aspects of your care. We are celebrating our tenth year of serving the community and there is no other agency that is as responsive, compassionate and flexible as Adelmo. We take pride in having the finest, best trained and most responsible caregivers in the industry.

Our office is in Joplin Missouri, but we have caregivers that can serve many communities in Southwest Missouri and Southeast Kansas.

Adelmo Family Care is locally owned and operated. Our founder and owner is John H. Good, who has lived in Joplin since 1972.

Yes. Adelmo Family Care provides services in nursing homes, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, assisted living facilities and other settings.

No. All caregivers are employees of Adelmo Family Care

No.. Our duties are non-medical so, Medicare, Medicaid or other health insurance plans do not cover in-home care. Adelmo Family Care is a private-pay caregiver service.  Many long term Care insurance policies will cover our services.

In most cases, Long Term Care Insurance does reimburse for our services. We will be happy to work with you to determine the eligibility requirements of your particular insurance company.  We have become quite adept at understanding the terms of various LTC policies and have been able to assist our clients in getting through the red tape. For former US servicemen/servicewomen, the Veterans Administration offers a homecare benefit called the “Aid & Attendance” pension. Ask us for more information.

The Veterans Administration has an “Aid and Attendance” benefit available for veterans of war.  In Missouri the Masons and Eastern Star have a benefit available, check with your local lodge secretary.

Yes. Adelmo Family Care conducts an initial needs consultation in order to get to know you and see how you like things done in your home. Information regarding your health issues, the services you require and your emergency contacts will be obtained at this time We refer to this initial visit as a consultation because we are interested in providing you as many of the alternative options as possible so you can choose what is best for you or your loved one..

Adelmo Family Care has a basic service agreement that is to be signed prior to beginning services. This agreement can be cancelled, for any reason, with two weeks notice.

Yes. Simply call our office with any changes you would like to make. Our philosophy is to make the schedule work for the family.  You come first. Your needs, your requests, your schedule. We will do everything possible to make sure the schedule you want is the schedule you get. In addition, we will make periodic reassessments to determine if the level of care should be increased, reduced or stay the same. We will then discuss our recommendations with the client and the family to determine the best course of action.

Yes. Adelmo Family Care provides access to an on-call supervisor 24-hours a day, 7 days a week.

You choose the hours you need. We provide as little as 60 minutes or less a visit or up to 24/7 coverage.

Clients are sent an invoice bi-weekly and payment can be made through a check or we can do an automated withdraw from your checking account for the amount of you current billing.

Yes. Our caregivers can drive to doctors’ appointments, senior centers or any other place. If driving your vehicle, there is no extra charge to your hourly or daily rate. If you require the caregiver to drive his or her own vehicle, you are billed a standard per-mileage rate.