Frequently Asked Questions

We prefer a minimum of 4 continuous hours per shift. In special circumstances, we can make exceptions on a case-by-case basis depending on whether or not a caregiver will work an abbreviated shift.

Home Health Services: In the State of Maryland, home health services are temporary services prescribed by a physician following a hospital stay. The agency providing these services is called a Home Health Agency and must adhere to federal guidelines. Medicare covers some of the care costs for home health services, and a nurse will make several home visits and may or may not be accompanied by a home health aide (HHA) who provides a bath or personal care. Home health services may also be used to provide physical or occupational therapy.

Private Duty Care: As its name implies, private duty care includes one-on-one services. These services can include observation, assistance, and/or skilled care. There are different types of private duty companies providing a range of services with varying levels of oversight:

• Registry: A registry is simply a business that maintains a list of available caregivers. Registries do not employ the caregivers in their listings. The client pays the caregiver on the day of care and pays the agency an ongoing percentage for the referral. They need only a business license to operate.
• Companion Care/Homemaker Services: These include many familiar franchises (and some privately owned businesses) providing “non- medical care”. This means that their caregivers are not permitted to provide any services that require hands-on assistance. Most do not offer the oversight of an RN since their caregivers cannot provide the type of service that is considered “certified” (help walking, bathing, eating, grooming, etc.). Depending on the business model, the agency will consider their caregivers independent contractors (thus passing on liability and taxation to the caregivers). Some hire their caregivers as employees.
• Residential Services Agency (RSA): RSAs offer services that include private duty companion care, personal care, and skilled care under the off- or on-site supervision of an RN. Activities of Daily Living, or ADLs (bathing, bathroom care, oral care, grooming, walking with assistance, transferring from place to place, and/or assistance with eating), are provided by an RSA. RSAs must apply for and be granted licensure by the Maryland Department of Health Care Quality. The application process is rigorous and includes demonstration of policies and procedures for both employees and clients that adhere to state regulations. Companies providing home physical and occupational therapy and/or durable medical equipment must also be licensed as an RSA. Absolute Companion Care is an RSA.

Q. Are your home care services covered by Medicare, Medicaid, or insurance?

Our senior companion care home office is located in Monkton, Maryland and we proudly serve seniors and families throughout Baltimore and Harford Counties. Click here to view our full service area.

Absolute Companion Care is an established, locally-operated companion care agency. Our dedicated care team is committed to being the gold standard for at-home elder care in the state of Maryland by providing the most professional and dedicated caregivers offering compassionate, skilled care and companionship for clients who wish to remain at home as they age. We also have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, and our hands-on administrative approach is supportive to both clients and caregivers. We ensure that care is customized to meet each client’s unique needs and lifestyle. Our team approach to care provides consistency in an atmosphere we hope will improve the lives of our clients. For more, please see our About Us page.

Although many home care industry terms are used interchangeably, each term can mean something slightly different. An aide is usually a home health aide (HHA) who works with a Medicare-certified home health agency. An HHA undergoes specific certification and training before providing personal care for a home health agency.

In Maryland, a certified nursing assistant (CNA) undergoes a Board of Nursing approved curriculum including clinical training under the instruction of a registered nurse (RN). A CNA candidate must demonstrate competence in all types of personal care associated with activities of daily living (ADLs), including bathing, bathroom assistance, oral care, grooming, walking with assistance, transferring from place to place, and/or assistance with eating. Candidates sit for a written and skills exam. Successful completion results in Board Certification.

A geriatric nursing assistant (GNA) completes additional training after earning the CNA certification. Successful completion of additional exam results in the designation CNA/GNA.

Absolute Companion Care’s in-house RN is a certified CNA/GNA trainer, which allows us to provide highly trained and experienced CNAs and GNAs to assist our clients with their daily needs.

At Absolute Companion Care, all of our caregivers undergo a rigorous selection, training, mentoring, and evaluation process. We have an extensive phone and in-person interview process. If we invite the applicant to join our team, he or she must pass county, state, and federal background checks, provide proof of residency, have a clean driving record, and pass a health and drug screening. We verify previous employment and speak to each candidate’s references. The new caregiver then reports for extensive training in company policy and client procedures.

Our companions are required to have life and/or work experience in providing care. Caregivers hired to provide hands-on assistance with daily personal care are usually licensed certified nursing assistants (CNAs). All caregivers receive extensive training and are supervised by a registered nurse. Our caregivers always have an RN available to answer any questions while with their client.

Our caregivers are valued employees of our agency. We withhold employee local, state and federal taxes and contribute to their FICA as per IRS rules. We cover them with professional liability insurance, bond them, and pay both unemployment and workman’s compensation insurance.

In an industry where caregiver turnover is high (regionally 53%), Absolute Companion’s Care’s turnover rate is remarkably low, at just 19%. We attribute this to our careful selection and hiring of caregivers who are closely aligned with our company’s core values.

Retention measures how satisfied our employees are by measuring how many employees remain employed with us. Absolute Companion Care’s most recently measured retention rate was 86%.  Employee satisfaction is a key factor in retaining qualified, dedicated people who meet our clients’ needs. This is good news for our clients who are searching for dependable, reliable, and recognizable people to come into their homes.