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Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What is "Personal Service"?
  2. What is "Geriatric Care Management"?
  3. What about my medication, my doctor's appointments, and any other medical attention that I may need?
  4. What happens if a "hummingbird" becomes ill and can't work? I can't be left alone.
  5. Do I pay the caregiver directly? Am I responsible for taking out their income taxes and sending them to the IRS? Do I have to provide worker compensation insurance?
  6. What are the credentials of Hummingbird Home Care and their caregivers?

Answers

  1. What is "Personal Service"?


    We provide care around the clock for our elderly clients and only a small portion of that time is spent delivering direct hands-on personal care such as bathing and dressing. The rest of the day is spent any number of the following ways that we call "Personal Service":

    • Companionship
    • Escorting to social functions, meetings, medical appointments, or lunch dates
    • Housekeeping
    • Laundry
    • Baking
    • Cooking meals
    • Recreation
    • Medication reminders
    • Home exercise programs
    • Personal hygiene and assistance with dressing
    • Shopping

    Can't you just smell the chocolate chip cookies cooling on the counter and the bread in the oven?

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  2. What is "Geriatric Care Management"?


    Geriatric Care Management is the strategic use of personal, familial, and community resources to prevent long-term institutional placement among the elderly.

    Hummingbird Home Care is the community resource that will serve your personal and social needs so you can remain in the comfort of your own home.

    There is no reason to leave your beloved home for institutional living.

    A Registered Professional Nurse from Hummingbird Home Care assesses your care needs and monitors changes over time. With 14 years of home care experience, Joan Thompson can recognize the physical changes of aging that jeopardize the safety and independence of the elderly. She can collaborate with your doctor to ensure you're getting the very best care.

    Joan keeps the staff organized and informed of your needs. Geriatric Care Management services include things like scheduling medical appointments, sending tax documents to a financial advisor, finding a plumber to fix a leak, making sure the car gets inspected and registered on time, set up a gardener to prune the hedges, take the dog to the vet, assist with bill paying, banking, and shopping. Hummingbird Home Care even makes sure your holiday gifts are bought, wrapped and delivered to family on time. We can organize tea parties, bridge games, or even host a dinner party for your friends.

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  3. What about my medication, my doctor's appointments, and any other medical attention that I may need?


    You can ask the Registered Professional Nurse to come to your home regularly to set up your medications and manage the refills with the doctor and the pharmacy.

    Our "hummingbirds" can call your doctors and make appointments on your calendar based on the best time of day for you to get there. They will take you to your appointments and even stop for lunch on the way home if you wish.

    The staff is trained to know when something is not quite right. They will report any concerns to Joan Thompson, the Registered Professional Nurse. The Nurse will advise the staff to make an appointment with your doctor, take you to the emergency room or call 911 if you are in need of urgent care.

    You can ask the Nurse to make a home visit to assess any of your health concerns, set up medications, soak your feet and trim your toenails or organize any of your elder care needs.

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  4. What happens if a "hummingbird" becomes ill and can't work? I can't be left alone.


    You do not have to worry about anything. Hummingbird Home Care will call a replacement caregiver. All our caregivers are wonderful people who do this work because they love it and you will enjoy them all. You will never be left alone.

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  5. Do I pay the caregiver directly? Am I responsible for taking out their income taxes and sending them to the IRS? Do I have to provide worker compensation insurance?


    No, No, and No. We take care of it all. Our Personal Service Professionals are our employees. We take care of the income taxes and the insurance.

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  6. What are the credentials of Hummingbird Home Care and their caregivers?


    Hummingbird Home Care is approved and registered with the Maine Department of Health & Human Services, a member of the National Private Duty Associations.

    The owner, Joan Thompson, is a Registered Professional Nurse with 14 years of home care experience.

    Our "hummingbirds" or Personal Service Professionals are all trained and certified by the State of Maine as direct care workers. They hold a variety of certifications including Certified Nurse's Assistant, Personal Support Specialist, Residential Care Assistant, Personal Care Assistant, Direct Support Professional, Mental Health Rehabilitation Technician, and Certified Residential Medication Aide.

    All hummingbirds have multiple years of experience delivering care to clients in their own homes. All ongoing training is determined by the Registered Nurse who owns the company. She makes a plan with the client and family that meets their individual needs. Supervision of staff includes visits to the home and telephone calls to be sure they are performing to our Standard of Excellence and have all the tools they need to succeed.

    You expect the best, and you deserve the best care available. So Hummingbird Home Care ensures the quality of your service professional by carefully screening and selecting our applicants before they are hired. Our screening process includes checks of certification, criminal history record, satisfactory work record, driving record, and good health. Employees must then comply with our agencies policies and our Agreement to Standards.

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