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Acknowledgment of Disclosures and Authorization
By proceeding, I agree that I understand the following disclosures:
I. How We Work in Washington. Based on your preferences, we provide you with information about one or more of our contracted senior living providers ("Participating Communities") and provide your Senior Living Care Information to Participating Communities. The Participating Communities may contact you directly regarding their services. APFM does not endorse or recommend any provider. It is your sole responsibility to select the appropriate care for yourself or your loved one. We work with both you and the Participating Communities in your search. We do not permit our Advisors to have an ownership interest in Participating Communities.
II. How We Are Paid. We do not charge you any fee – we are paid by the Participating Communities. Some Participating Communities pay us a percentage of the first month's standard rate for the rent and care services you select. We invoice these fees after the senior moves in.
III. When We Tour. APFM tours certain Participating Communities in Washington (typically more in metropolitan areas than in rural areas.) During the 12 month period prior to December 31, 2017, we toured 86.2% of Participating Communities with capacity for 20 or more residents.
IV. No Obligation or Commitment. You have no obligation to use or to continue to use our services. Because you pay no fee to us, you will never need to ask for a refund.
V. Complaints. Please contact our Family Feedback Line at (866) 584-7340 or ConsumerFeedback@aplaceformom.com to report any complaint. Consumers have many avenues to address a dispute with any referral service company, including the right to file a complaint with the Attorney General's office at: Consumer Protection Division, 800 5th Avenue, Ste. 2000, Seattle, 98104 or 800-551-4636.
VI. No Waiver of Your Rights. APFM does not (and may not) require or even ask consumers seeking senior housing or care services in Washington State to sign waivers of liability for losses of personal property or injury or to sign waivers of any rights established under law.I agree that: A.I authorize A Place For Mom ("APFM") to collect certain personal and contact detail information, as well as relevant health care information about me or from me about the senior family member or relative I am assisting ("Senior Living Care Information"). B.APFM may provide information to me electronically. My electronic signature on agreements and documents has the same effect as if I signed them in ink. C.APFM may send all communications to me electronically via e-mail or by access to an APFM web site. D.If I want a paper copy, I can print a copy of the Disclosures or download the Disclosures for my records. E.This E-Sign Acknowledgement and Authorization applies to these Disclosures and all future Disclosures related to APFM's services, unless I revoke my authorization. You may revoke this authorization in writing at any time (except where we have already disclosed information before receiving your revocation.) This authorization will expire after one year. F.You consent to APFM's reaching out to you using a phone system than can auto-dial numbers (we miss rotary phones, too!), but this consent is not required to use our service.
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Mostly Independent
Your loved one may not require home care or assisted living services at this time. However, continue to monitor their condition for changes and consider occasional in-home care services for help as needed.
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The agency’s caregiver is paid weekly at 1700.00 per week and office fees are 700.00 per week it’s hard to catch up. Can they discontinue service with less than 24 hrs notice? Txs
I hire through Visiting Angels (south FL) and have never heard of "office fees". If you signed a contract with them, I would first scour it to see if it is mentioned in there. If it is, then you are probably on the hook for that charge. If not, then I would push back. If you don't know what office fees are, ask and insist on an itemized invoice to review. If it still seems dubious, take it to an attorney to review. I'm sorry you're having this headache!
We had Visiting Angels for Dad. They were great and he liked most of the aides. What you have to understand is these are for-profit agencies and are in business to make money. The aides get about $18 an hour, the rest goes for insurance, back-ground checks, etc.
For the money being paid out for care, wouldn't it be better to place Dad in an assisted living? Then you no longer deal with agencies. My Moms BF is living in a place near u called Cardinal Village. Its on Hurfville-Cross Keys rd.
He was in acute and sub acute rehabs from Feb 2020 until recently and he lost 100lbs, had two septic incidents that were near fatal and a bowel impact ion which required surgery. COVID has made it impossible to advocate for loved ones and if he goes into another facility I will insist on full accessibility. Thanks for referring Cardinal I’ll look into it.
I want you to know that what may be a company's "policy" might not actually be legal to do. I've worked for several care agencies before going totally private pay only. The office bills the client or their insurance company then takes their cut of the money before the employee gets their paycheck. If they're taking $700 out of the $1,700 a week you're paying out, then you shouldn't owe them anything. Whatever agency you are using is trying to pull some underhanded dealings. Check with the Department of Social Services in your state about this one. Speak to your state's Ombudsman if you have one as well. Then drop the agency you're paying "office fees" to. Go on a care website and find a private pay live-in caregiver. You can even hire two. One to stay during the week and one to work on week-ends. There will be no office fees involved and your LO will get far better care. Why pay office fees and administration costs? How does your LO or family benefit in any way from the fees you're paying the "office"? You don't. So, stop the agency shakedown that's costing a fortune. Hire private help.
Many Thanks! Agency was referred by hospital social worker as the “only in home live in agency in area” at the time I didn’t question a knowledgable colleague. I was wrong. They are non medical. However the staff are paid as aids. And more.
Holly, have you read the contract, very, very carefully, to see if there's a provision to this effect? When I was trying to find a good agency for my father, I noticed that some of the less desirable agencies used smaller print in their contracts, perhaps thinking that someone wouldn't take the time to read all the sneaky provisions.
For everyone that thinks this company should not be getting paid, how do you think that they keep their doors open? How do you think that they provide worker's compensation insurance and pay all the matching taxes and labor burden that goes along with having employees?
Most places hide their cost by making it an hourly fee that is all inclusive, that's why an aid cost upwards of 25.00 hourly.
I would imagine that they break their services and fees down to accommodate those that can use the aids wages as a tax deduction. Makes sense.
What you have to understand is these are for-profit agencies and are in business to make money. The aides get about $18 an hour, the rest goes for insurance, back-ground checks, etc. by the agency. If you or your father signed a contract then you are obligated to pay the bills. It would be the same in any other type of company.
I agree with tThe other comments and read the contract. I does seem harsh that you were only given 24 hr notice. Is there more to the story?
Of all the answers, no one has addressed the "its hard to catch up" issue. Is it a matter of finding the time to write the check, or finding the money to cover the check? Time is on you, but the money MUST come from your dad's accounts. I sincerely hope you are not paying his bills from your accounts. Do you have durable POA over his finances? If he is low on funds, he/you need to be working towards getting him on Medicaid. If this is the situation, have you spoken to an Elderlaw attorney? First consultation is free. Has any estate planning been done? With his hospitalizations does he have a Medical POA/MOLST/health care proxy? These are such important legal documents to have. Having been through it, and having almost waited too long to do it ourselves, I can't stress to everyone how important these legal documents and planning are. I know these are difficult conversations to have with a parent, but they are extremely invaluable for your parent's future.
Certain agencies try to get around state regulations by invoicing caregiver fees and office fees separately. Be very careful of them. Do they cover their caregivers under their workers comp? Or are you responsible? It can also be used as a marketing ploy. Without being in the business, it is very hard to determine your risks with this type of agency. It is definitely 'buyer beware'. They may have done you a favor. Check with other agencies who do business differently before you go back to this agency.
What state regulations are they trying to get around? If they are a legitimate business (corp, LLC, etc) and they have employees then they will need to cover their worker's comp. I've run a business for 38 years (not in caregiving). The hourly rate I charge is dependent upon ALL the costs of doing business: rent, insurances, office supplies, professional services, state, local & federal taxes, wages & compensations, etc. It is "caveat emptor" (buyer beware) no matter how you hire, but you carry ALL the burden when you hire privately. When you hire privately, you then become the employer and must comply with your state's employment laws for withholding, reporting and taxes. You are checking all the references and referrals and doing the criminal background checks, doing the scheduling, finding subs on the fly when they call in sick. Also, if the agency aids were paid any more, that cost gets passed on to the client -- you.
By proceeding, I agree that I understand the following disclosures:
I. How We Work in Washington.
Based on your preferences, we provide you with information about one or more of our contracted senior living providers ("Participating Communities") and provide your Senior Living Care Information to Participating Communities. The Participating Communities may contact you directly regarding their services.
APFM does not endorse or recommend any provider. It is your sole responsibility to select the appropriate care for yourself or your loved one. We work with both you and the Participating Communities in your search. We do not permit our Advisors to have an ownership interest in Participating Communities.
II. How We Are Paid.
We do not charge you any fee – we are paid by the Participating Communities. Some Participating Communities pay us a percentage of the first month's standard rate for the rent and care services you select. We invoice these fees after the senior moves in.
III. When We Tour.
APFM tours certain Participating Communities in Washington (typically more in metropolitan areas than in rural areas.) During the 12 month period prior to December 31, 2017, we toured 86.2% of Participating Communities with capacity for 20 or more residents.
IV. No Obligation or Commitment.
You have no obligation to use or to continue to use our services. Because you pay no fee to us, you will never need to ask for a refund.
V. Complaints.
Please contact our Family Feedback Line at (866) 584-7340 or ConsumerFeedback@aplaceformom.com to report any complaint. Consumers have many avenues to address a dispute with any referral service company, including the right to file a complaint with the Attorney General's office at: Consumer Protection Division, 800 5th Avenue, Ste. 2000, Seattle, 98104 or 800-551-4636.
VI. No Waiver of Your Rights.
APFM does not (and may not) require or even ask consumers seeking senior housing or care services in Washington State to sign waivers of liability for losses of personal property or injury or to sign waivers of any rights established under law.
I agree that:
A.
I authorize A Place For Mom ("APFM") to collect certain personal and contact detail information, as well as relevant health care information about me or from me about the senior family member or relative I am assisting ("Senior Living Care Information").
B.
APFM may provide information to me electronically. My electronic signature on agreements and documents has the same effect as if I signed them in ink.
C.
APFM may send all communications to me electronically via e-mail or by access to an APFM web site.
D.
If I want a paper copy, I can print a copy of the Disclosures or download the Disclosures for my records.
E.
This E-Sign Acknowledgement and Authorization applies to these Disclosures and all future Disclosures related to APFM's services, unless I revoke my authorization. You may revoke this authorization in writing at any time (except where we have already disclosed information before receiving your revocation.) This authorization will expire after one year.
F.
You consent to APFM's reaching out to you using a phone system than can auto-dial numbers (we miss rotary phones, too!), but this consent is not required to use our service.
When we agree to fees and utilize the services, we have to pay or lose the services.
I am sorry that you are going through this. You do have to pay though.
Dad in an assisted living? Then you no longer deal with agencies.
My Moms BF is living in a place near u called Cardinal Village. Its on Hurfville-Cross Keys rd.
Check with the Department of Social Services in your state about this one. Speak to your state's Ombudsman if you have one as well.
Then drop the agency you're paying "office fees" to. Go on a care website and find a private pay live-in caregiver. You can even hire two. One to stay during the week and one to work on week-ends. There will be no office fees involved and your LO will get far better care. Why pay office fees and administration costs? How does your LO or family benefit in any way from the fees you're paying the "office"? You don't. So, stop the agency shakedown that's costing a fortune. Hire private help.
Most places hide their cost by making it an hourly fee that is all inclusive, that's why an aid cost upwards of 25.00 hourly.
I would imagine that they break their services and fees down to accommodate those that can use the aids wages as a tax deduction. Makes sense.
I agree with tThe other comments and read the contract. I does seem harsh that you were only given 24 hr notice. Is there more to the story?
Having been through it, and having almost waited too long to do it ourselves, I can't stress to everyone how important these legal documents and planning are. I know these are difficult conversations to have with a parent, but they are extremely invaluable for your parent's future.