FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Victory Care Services strives to be a valuable resource to our local community. We have answered some of the most frequently asked questions. If you have a specific question that is not covered, please call (443) 441 – 5144 and a member of our team will be happy to help you.

When You Have Questions About In Home Companion Care, Victory Care Services has Answers.

If you’re searching for quality in-home care Texas residents can trust, it’s natural to ask questions about everything from the type of services available to how the agency’s caregivers are hired and trained.

As your dedicated Maryland home care resource, Victory Care Services is here to help you find the answers you need in order to receive the best possible care. You can find many of the answers you’re looking for in our list of frequently asked questions below.

If you have further questions, please feel free to contact Victory Care Services, the top-rated companion care agency in the Maryland area, any time at (443) 441 – 5144

Home care industry terms can be confusing: home health, private duty, health aide, nurse assistant. What do these terms mean?

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 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/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 caregiver’s 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 a 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. Victory Care Services is an RSA.

Who needs home care?

People with a multitude of needs and abilities can benefit from in-home care services, including:

Older adults or disabled individuals who need assistance to remain safe at home
Anyone requiring more personal care than a spouse or family member can provide
Anyone facing either a permanent or temporary change in his or her health who needs additional help at home
Family caregivers who need respite care in order to rest, attend to other areas of their lives and avoid caregiver burnout
Individuals who live alone and would thrive from companionship

What are the advantages of in-home care?

Home care allows individuals to receive the care they need in the comfort and familiarity of home. Home care also allows clients to remain as active, social, and engaged as possible within their community and social circles.

At Victory Care Services, one of the top companion care agency in the Baltimore, Maryland area, we pride ourselves on exceptional, ongoing communication with clients, families, and caregivers to ensure that our clients receive the attention they deserve and stay connected to family members and health care providers for better care.

Why choose Victory Care Services?

Victory Care Services 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 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.

What kind of services do you provide?

We offer a wide range of private home care services including companion care, post-operative care, respite care, short or long term care, meal preparation, light housekeeping, errands and transportation, medication reminders, personal care assistance including bathing, help to go to the bathroom, dressing, and much more.

Please visit our Home Care Services page to learn more about the services we provide.

Do you require a commitment to a minimum of hours and days a week to provide care?

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.

What if i need to reach someone after office hours or on weekend?

We have dedicated 24/7 support staff who are available nights and weekends. If you reach our voicemail or answering service, please leave your information and our on-call coordination team member will reach out to you as quickly as possible.

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

Victory Care Services offers non-medical home care services that are not covered by Medicare or Medicaid. We do accept some long-term care insurance plans.

If you would like assistance with determining how to pay for your care, we will be happy to walk you through the process and ensure that you receive all the care benefits to which you are entitled.

Are an aide and a caregiver the same thing?

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.

How is a companion different from a caregiver?

At Victory Care Services, the terms companion and caregiver are synonymous. Some clients prefer the term companion because it implies more independence.

No certification or formal training is required, but life experience and the desire to work with others are expected.

At Victory Care Services, we provide all our employees with an extensive amount of practical and hands-on training to ensure they are competent and confident in the services they provide, including mentoring, quarterly educational sessions, and evaluations.