What is a Home Care Agency?

Home Care is care that does not involve nursing type activities such as wound changes, or skilled needs like physical therapy.  In-Home care provides practical support with a human touch.  Caregivers assist with ADLs (Activities of Daily Living) such as; dressing assistance, transferring from bed, chair, toilet or wheelchair and assist with bathing.  Caregivers can also do light housekeeping, meal prep, laundry, making up beds, taking out the trash, pet care, transportation, errands, and more.  We can basically do anything a family member can do.

Can you give me some information about your Home Care Agency?

We are a family owned business licensed by the state of Texas, insured and bonded.  Best In-Home Care holds an A+ rating from the Home Care Standards Bureau and is a proud member of “The Seniors Choice” the nation’s largest network of independent senior care providers.  Our families have needed  caregivers to work with relatives recovering from surgery, Strokes, Retina surgery, Macular Degeneration, Parkinson’s Disease, Dementia, Heart Disease and many more debilitating diseases.  We have witnessed first-hand the comfort and security our Home Care Agency and caregivers can provide to a family in need. Many of our clients’ family members feel better about their loved ones from the first time they speak with one of our owners or staff.  It’s like a weight has been lifted off their shoulders to know that they have help with their family member/members.  Our Caregivers, as well as our company, are like an extra set of eyes and ears with their family member.  Our Caregivers are available twenty four hours a day, seven days a week.  Schedules can range from three hours a day to twenty four.  We provide Caregivers who are background checked, bonded and insured.  We place them in jobs requiring their unique skill set.  Best In-Home Care provides sitting with a client in a nursing facility that needs one on one care, general supervision at home, assistance with personal care, routine daily activities including light housekeeping, meal preparation, errands, transportation, bathing, toileting, companionship, transferring from a bed, or wheelchair and more.  Our clients have a large range in the skill level they need our caregiver’s to possess, and we have caregivers with ALL skill levels.

We work with all acute, chronic or debilitating diseases, Some examples are: Acute or short-lived conditions like Post Surgeries of all kind, Fall Risks, Parkinson’s Disease, Alzheimer’s (or any form of Dementia) Muscular Dystrophy, Multiple Sclerosis, COPD, Heart Disease, Special Needs or Mentally Challenged people and many more.

OUR GOAL: To keep our clients in THEIR home as long as they want to stay there, surrounded by all of their lovely things.

We treat each client with dignity and respect.  Our recommendations can assist you with Home Health and Hospice Care Agencies.  Our nurse can provide medication and treatment assistance.

Best In-Home Care is a member of the Lubbock Chamber and members serve on the Southwest Parkinson’s Board.  Military backgrounds drove us to become involved with the VA and Veteran Assistance Programs.  We are dedicated each year to making Lubbock and the surrounding communities a better place for all.
Our Specialties Include Caregivers for seniors in their home and facilities.  When families cannot be with a family member who needs assistance, Best In-Home Care provides dependable and affordable assistance with:

Caring companionship
Meal planning and preparation
Incidental transportation
Light housekeeping
Errands
Medication reminders
Monitoring fall risks
Monitoring of safety while bathing
On staff RN Information and referral services
Our personalized services are available seven days a week and can range from a few hours daily to 24 hour care.
No charge for patient assessment.
We service Lubbock and surrounding counties.
We proudly work with VA patients and veteran assistance programs.
Our Caregivers are background checked, fully bonded, licensed and insured.

Who Owns Best In-Home Care?

Best In-Home Care, LLC is a Family Owned and Operated Agency.  Best In-Home Care was founded by a Mother and Daughter: Yvonne Woody and Tracy Daniel Nelson RN.

Meet Yvonne

My Name is Yvonne Woody and I worked as a financial planner and stockbroker until retirement, when I became an active volunteer in the community serving on several boards including The Salvation Army Board, The Covenant Hospital Neuroscience Board, The South Plains Kidney Foundation and The Children’s Orthopedic Foundation. During this time, while caring for my ill mother, I learned that care for the elderly gave purpose and meaning to my life.

After a serious illness of my own I realized the importance of personal independence and the ability to stay in your own home surrounded by everything you love. It was at this time I felt I had a calling and asked my daughter to join me in forming our own elder care company to help make a difference in the lives of seniors. I believe when seniors remain in their homes they are happier and their quality of life significantly improves while aging more gracefully.

Meet Tracy

My name is Tracy Daniel Nelson and I am a Registered Nurse. My story begins when I was a Hospice Nurse. So many times while doing hospice nursing I would enter a home only to find a person who was depressed, lost, and feeling life had nothing left to offer them. The breaking point came when the sweetest little lady, who was my grandmother’s age, began to tell me her life story and what it felt like to be old and alone. When I learned that Mildred had no family to care for her, I came every day and engaged her in conversation and listened to her stories. With each day Mildred became more content and died peacefully in her sleep. When my mother, Yvonne Woody, told me she was researching Home Care Agencies to allow the elderly the greatest level of independence and freedom while still living in their own home, I was immediately compelled to find out more information!  We talked to Steve Everhart CEO of The Senior’s Choice, the nation’s largest network of independent providers who care for the elderly. When we found Steve shared our same passion and ideas for senior services we became a member of The Senior’s Choice network. My mother and I see this as A Calling not just a Home Care business.

The whole family is now actively involved with Best In-Home Care, LLC.  Myself and my husband Doug Nelson our Manager of Operations, my brother Tim Daniel a nursing home administrator who helps us with the myriad of State regulations, and my sister Kelly Wickersham a Registered Dietician who consults for us when we have those with special dietary needs.

 

What is Respite Care?

Family members who work as Caregivers often become overwhelmed and exhausted or behind in their own list of things to do.  Our Caregivers can be scheduled to enable family caregiver to confidently leave their care duties, tackle their list, and get together with friends or see a movie:  Rest!

 

Can your Caregivers work for us while we have Home Health or Hospice?

Home health and hospice visits are scheduled for once a week or month.  Our Caregivers can be scheduled for Senior Care from three to twenty four hours a day seven days a week.  Caregivers are your eyes and ears when other care is not with your loved one.  Best In-Home Care can assist you with finding a home health or hospice agency.

Can I schedule a Caregiver for three hours or twenty four hours a day if needed?

During a free in-home assessment a schedule is created to best suit the patient’s needs. Three hours or twenty four hours a day can be arranged.

 

How are Caregivers chosen for us?

During the free in-home assessment Best In-Home Care will match a Caregiver to the patient’s needs and because of different personalities we’ll work to find a compatible match.  We are licensed by the state of Texas, bonded and insured.  Our Caregivers are background and Nurse Aide Registry checked.  We also check all references.

Who are your Caregivers?

Our diverse teams of Caregivers are matched to your needs. For example those with Dementia, Alzheimer’s, fall risk patients, bed or wheelchair patients, companionship, light housekeeping, meal prep and transportation.  A Caregiver with the skill set required is chosen.  Our Caregivers are checked by a Multi-State Background Check, the Nurse Aide Registry check, and the Employee Miss-Conduct Registry check (As required by our state licensing agency, The Department of Aging and Disability Service or DADS).  Drug tests are conducted when needed.  In-Service training is offered, and CNA (Certified Nurse’s Assistant) license renewal assistance is available in our office.

How do the Caregivers record their time so I am accurately charged?

Best In-Home Care employs a scheduling company to electronically record each clock in and clock out. Upon arrival, the Caregiver uses the client’s telephone to call in and press the correct buttons to record the start of their shift.  The same is done when leaving.  We also require a time sheet be filled out and signed by the patient or family member.

If I’d like to change Caregivers, can I make a change?

Yes you can, we will work with you to find a Caregiver that best or better fits your loved one’s needs.

What are your work hours?

Office hours are 9 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday.  We can be reached by telephone 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  We do not use an answering service.

Our Caregivers are available twenty-four hours a day seven days a week.  Schedules can be designed to fit the patient’s needs.  We can fill three hour or twenty four hour shifts.

Is there someone I can call for information or discuss the care of my loved one?

Yes, someone is available via telephone, 24 hours a day.  We do not use an answering service.

 

Do I have to sign a long term agreement?

No, you hire us for as long as needed. You can stop care whenever you like.

Do your Caregivers work in facilities as well as the home?

Our Caregivers work with patients in Rehab and nursing home facilities, Assisted Living and Independent Living Facilities.  We provide one on one care when the facilities staff is not in the client’s room.  Duties we provide include: Companionship, transportation, errands, fall prevention, meal prep, making sure pets are walked, trash and clothes are taken care of and making sure liquids and meals are being consumed.

What are your methods of payment?

Best In-Home Care accepts checks, automatic draft, credit cards, long term care insurance and Veteran Care programs.  Frequency of payments can be arranged.

What types of patients do you work with?

Best In-Home Care works with those needing assistance with special needs, bed bound, bed and wheelchair transferring.  We work with all acute, chronic or debilitating diseases, such as: Acute or short-lived conditions Post Surgeries of all kind, Fall Risks Clients, Parkinson’s Disease, Alzheimer’s or any form of dementia, Muscular Dystrophy, Multiple Sclerosis, ALS, COPD, Heart Disease, Special Needs or Mentally Challenged clients, and many more.  We also work with patients needing companionship, light housekeeping, errands and transportation.

We proudly work with a variety of Veteran’s programs.

 

What is the difference between Home Health and your Home Care Agency?

A home health Agency is different than a Home Care Agency such as Best In-Home Care which is considered non-medical or non-skilled.  Home health visits are scheduled weekly, visits are usually an hour or less and do not include the services provided by Best In-Home Care.  Home health is a wide range of skilled health care services in the patient’s home.  Doctor’s orders are needed to start care.  If your doctor refers you for home health services, Best In-Home Care can assist you with choosing a home health agency.  The home health agency will schedule an appointment and come to your home to talk about your needs.  The home health agency staff will also talk to your doctor about your care and keep him/her updated about your progress.  Home health remains only for as long as the patient continues to progress.

Examples of skilled home health services include:

Wound care for pressure sores or a surgical wound

Intravenous or nutrition therapy

Injections

Monitoring serious illness and unstable health status

Physical. Occupational and Speech Therapy.

 

Best In-Home Care works with a number of home health agencies and will assist you with choosing an agency.  Best In-Home Care provides caregiving services such as bathing, transportation, shopping and light housekeeping, fall risk protection while transferring a patient from a wheelchair, bed or to a toilet or shower, medication reminders, meal prep, making beds, taking out the trash, laundry and companionship.  Hours you can choose range from three to twenty four hours a day, seven days a week.