Home Instead has one basic mission: to enhance the lives of aging adults and their families. The goal is to help seniors live independently at home.
As one client’s family member wrote, Home Instead’s employee “became much more than a caregiver, coming in a couple times a week. She became a ‘team’ member in my aunt’s care, working closely with assisted living and hospice when they came into the picture. She became my aunt’s friend…like family.”
Whether you need help temporarily while recovering from surgery or long-term as things become more difficult as you age, Home Instead can provide help tailored to meet your needs.
Home Instead Inc. is an international senior care network with more than 1,000 franchises. Don and Corrie Boger, who have been in health care for their entire careers, bought the franchise based in Berlin, which serves all of Worcester, Wicomico and Somerset counties, five years ago.
“We have multiple caregivers who live in those counties and care for local clients. They are our employees, not subcontractors,” Don Boger said. “They are bonded, licensed and insured. We do a background check, drug screening and training. They all have experience — we don’t hire those who don’t.”
The Bogers’ operation has two sets of rules. As a state-licensed residential service agency, they must not only follow the rules of their franchise, but also those of the state.
“We offer two levels of care,” Boger continued. “Companionship care includes light housekeeping, meal preparation, medication reminders, socialization, transportation to wherever the client needs to go and safety — making sure the client is safe in his or her home.
“Personal care includes all the above plus bathing, dressing and grooming. Personal care is the biggest need of our clients.
“Our services are non-medical. We can’t do wound care or administer medicine; we just remind the client and make sure they take it. We are there to help in any way we can that our license permits.”
Boger said service begins with a free consultation, usually in the client’s home. Sometimes it’s in an assisted living facility where someone wants extra help.
“We explain everything and get to know your personality and needs so we can make a good fit with a caregiver,” he said.
“We can meet with the family also, in person or on the phone. Especially in this area there are a lot of retirees whose kids live over the bridge. The kids come for a weekend and realize Mom or Dad needs help, and they call us. Or neighbors call… We get a lot of referrals from social workers or a home health nurse or physical therapist who realizes the client needs more help than they can give. But the client has to be willing to be cared for.”
Many people do not realize that long-term care insurance covers the services of Home Instead. An expert in the Berlin office is experienced in helping with insurance matters.
If you or a loved one could use some help with senior care, call 410-641-0901 or visit online at www.homeinstead.com/734.
