Independent Home Care & Personal Assistant

 Frequently Asked Questions

As an independent in-home senior care aide and personal assistant, what services do you provide? 

In addition to providing seniors with friendlypanionship, I also provide the following:

  Light Housekeeping and Laundry 

Grocery Shopping and Errands 

  Meal Preparation and Planning 

Grooming, including Bathing and Dressing 

Indoor and Outdoor Recreational Activities 

Financial Budgeting and Bill Paying also available 

Note: I cannot provide medical services, such as diabetes care, but can help administer prescribed medications and assist with moderate mobility limitations excluding bed and wheelchair transferring. 

Are you qualified for Alzheimer and Parkinson disease caretaking? 

No.  Nor am I able to assist clients with communicable diseases. 

Will Medicare or Medicaid pay for independent in-home caretaker service?

Medicare will not cover independent in-home care service.  However, for seniors with limited assets and low incomes, some public benefit programs such as Medicaid, PACE and VA benefits for veterans will cover cost.  The goal of these programs is to keep seniors out of nursing homes for as long as possible.

Do independent in-home senior care aides and personal assistants require a license?

No.  In South Carolina an independent in-home senior care provider does not include an individual hired directly by the person receiving care or hired by the family.  Thus, such individuals are not required to obtain licensure through DHEC. (SC Code of Law, Chapter 70, Section 44-70-10, para. 3, part (d), 2015)

Are independent in-home caretakers required to have a background check?

Yes.  However, the law provides an exemption for any “student enrolled in an educational program” for which I qualify.  Therefore I’m exempt from background checks. (SC Law, Chapter 70, Section 44-7-2910)

Are you willing to submit to a background check, drug test and/or polygraph test? 

In order to ensure client’s peace of mind, absolutely as long as client covers all costs. 

How much does your senior in-home care service cost and what is the preferred payment method? 

Hourly rate is $10-12 per hour.  If however special unforeseen needs are required, the rate may be slightly higher.  Cash or check following each visit is preferred unless alternate arrangements have been made.  Thank you.