Frequently Asked Questions
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What about COVID-19?
During COVID-19, more and more clients and families are engaging Cooperative Home Care for these longer, 12 and 24-hour shifts to avoid facilities where the risk of COVID-19 transmission is very high.
We also have the PPE needed to safely and confidently care for your loved one who has COVID-19, in every type of home care scenario.
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Why 12 and 24-hour care?
The first thing we do is qualify you for every type of home care, before you pay out-of-pocket. This makes us your most affordable option and also provides peace of mind that you are not paying more than you have to for home care. Clients that need significant help at home may receive 12-hour shifts, or even two, 12-hour shifts to comprise a 24-hour shift. These are caregiver services that are funded by self-pay, Long Term Care insurance or Worker’s Compensation.
Sometimes our clients use 12-hour shifts when they are returning home after a hospitalization, and they cancel them as soon as they’ve regained their strength. 12-hour shifts are also helpful when your aging loved one’s primary caregiver is temporarily unavailable. Other times, 12-hour shifts are an ongoing way to help one live their best life in their own home.
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Does Medicare or my health insurance pay for 12 and/or 24-hour shifts?
No, Medicare or other health insurances do not pay for 12 or 24-hour caregiver shifts. What Cooperative can do, is to begin by qualifying you for services that are funded by Medicare and/or other health insurance. This enables you to maximize what is available before you pay out-of-pocket.
Long term care and workers compensation insurances may pay for 12 and 24-hour caregiver shifts. We work with you to access these benefits, too, so that you feel confident that you are not paying out-of-pocket until every other funding source is exhausted.
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What is a typical 12 or 24-hour schedule?
A typical 12-hour shift is a full day shift or an overnight shift. For example, you may request a caregiver from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. This caregiver will help you get up, shower, dress, and prepare a nutritious breakfast for you. They can complete chores throughout the day, including laundry, light housekeeping as well as cleaning up after showers, meals, and other activities. An overnight shift example is 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. During this shift, your caregiver will help you complete your bedtime routine and then be awake and within earshot if you need help to get up and use the bathroom through the night.
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What are common reasons one needs a 12 or 24-hour shift?
After a hospitalization, you may have concerns about your aging parent’s safety through the night. Are they going to wake up, confused, and potentially fall while getting out of, or into, bed? Or maybe they have temporary assistance needs, such as following hip or knee replacement surgery. You cannot realistically stay overnight and help them, while working and completing your personal and family responsibilities. 12-hour overnight shift caregivers are lifesavers in these situations! You can start and end them as needed.
12-hour shifts are also helpful when an aging parent’s caregiver is unavailable. If you care for your mother and have a planned vacation, scheduling 12-hour day and/or night shifts provides peace-of-mind while you’re away.
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Is a 24-hour shift a "live-in" shift? Will my caregiver be sleeping?
While we offer 24-hour live-in caregivers, it is rare that one would use this service. If you need a caregiver around the clock, we recommend two, 12-hour shifts completed by two different caregivers. If you don’t need help at night, then there isn’t a reason to pay to have a caregiver at that time.
In the very rare instance a live-in caregiver is the right match for you, we ask that you provide a private sleeping space for them. You must not require regular assistance through the night to qualify for this type of service. While our caregiver would rest overnight, they would be available to you through a monitor so that if you occasionally needed assistance, they could promptly help you.