Questions & Answers

Q. What kind of services do you provide?
A. Home Care for Maine provides in-home care ranging from personal care tasks such as bathing and shampooing to homemaking tasks like vacuuming, meal preparation and laundry.

Q. How do I make an appointment?
A. The agency has regular business hours Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. when a customer support representative can take information and discuss the best options for home care. She will refer the information to a field supervisor who will schedule a free in-home consultation. Call 1-800-639-3084 or you may go back to our home page, click on the blue Contact Us button. That will take you to a very easy form which will get you into our system.

Q. Is Home Care for Maine recognized by the state?
A. Yes, Home Care for Maine is a state-registered agency to provide supportive non-medical services.

Q. What are the backgrounds of your Personal Support Specialists and Homemakers?
A. For the most part, they live in your town and are very familiar with life in your community. They range in age from 18 to 86 and are dedicated to caring for the elderly and people with disabilities.

Q. Are your employees bonded and insured?
A. Yes.

Q. What kind of training do Personal Support Specialists and Homemakers receive?
A. All new Direct Care Workers, without certifications receive a thorough first day orientation. Uncertified Personal Support Specialists, who perform personal care in the home, must attend a 50-hour course given by our staff registered nurse. In subsequent years, they are required to take six hours of instructions in such subjects as infection control, body mechanics, and dementia.

Q. Are criminal background checks done on the staff?
A. Yes, criminal background checks and motor vehicle record checks are done on every individual hired by Home Care for Maine. We also keep an updated copy of driver’s licenses and car insurance. Community references are interviewed regarding the applying individual.

Q. Is Home Care for Maine contracted with any state agencies for individuals who qualify for help?
A. Yes, Home Care for Maine is contracted with Elder Independence of Maine, which is the home-care coordination agency for Maine. We have contracts with the state Office of Elder Services, the Department of Health and Human Service, the Veterans Administration and some Area Agencies on Aging.

Q. How does the cost of Home Care for Maine’s services compare with assisted living or nursing home care in the state?
A. Comparing an hour-to-hour basis, Home Care for Maine services are about one-third the cost of an assisted living facility and one-quarter of a skilled nursing facility.

Q. Do you accept Medicare or private insurance?
A. Home Care for Maine accepts private pay and long-term care insurance as well as Veterans Administration and workers compensation payments. No, we do not except Medicare at this time.

Q. Are your services available for the elderly in long-term care, nursing homes or assisted living facilities?
A. Yes. We provide such services as transportation, companionship and other services to residents in group settings or care facilities.

Q. Can I change the schedule if I have appointments?
A. With a minimum amount of notice, your schedule can be changed. Every person’s schedule is customized and designed to suit their needs and desires. We will do everything possible to shape a schedule that makes you happy.

Q. How do I start services?
A. Return to the home page and click on the blue Contact Us button. You will see a simple, short form which will immediately get you into our system. You will hear from us in less than 24 hours on a weekday and by the first business day, if on a weekend. Or you can call 1-800-639-3084 to speak to a customer service representative.

Q. What distinguishes Home Care for Maine from the competition?
A. Home Care for Maine offers a state-wide service. We are defined by the high-quality personal care and homemaking services we provide. The unique benefits we provide our consumers are choice and control.