FAQs

Here you will find answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). We will continue to add to this section. If there are any other questions you'd like to ask us, please don't hesitate to CONTACT US. Thank you for your interest in Silver Leaf In-Home Care.

1. Why should I choose Silver Leaf In-Home Care over other agencies?

Silver Leaf is a local, Vermont-owned business. Silver Leaf has had an outstanding reputation for over 20 years with all of our clients and their family members. We are not part of a large franchise system, so we are able to accept fewer clients and offer a higher level of service.

Silver Leaf is known for providing very personalized services to our clients. Caregivers and owner Patty Bergeron stay in close contact with clients and their families, making sure their needs are being met at all times. It is also important to Silver Leaf that the clients and caregivers are carefully matched so that they have a good working relationship. We go above and beyond to bring joy to our clients, including arranging special outings, birthdays and other celebrations.

Because we are privately owned and operated, your phone calls are answered 24/7 by the owner or by one of her three managers. We do not have an answering service or staff that answers the phone from out of state. We offer personal and caring service to clients, extended family members.

2. How are your caregivers selected?

Silver Leaf's caregivers are often referred by loyal caregivers who have been working for Silver Leaf for many years. Otherwise, they are selected through local advertising and are interviewed by the owner who does a complete State of Vermont (VT) background check prior to hiring them. All of Silver Leaf's caregivers are LNA's and/or have comparable years of experience. Silver Leaf's caregivers are also bonded and fully insured.

More importantly, Silver Leaf's caregivers tend to stay with us for years, not months. This provides stability and a high level of experience that is noticed and appreciated by our clients.

3. How are caregivers trained?

When a caregiver is selected to work for a particular client, the owner of Silver Leaf In-Home Care will spend as many hours as necessary training the caregiver on-site until they feel comfortable being on their own. Further training will be given, as needed, throughout the care of the client.

Our staff works closely with other agencies (such as VNA or Bayada) for palliative care and hospice providing continuity of service by utilizing their nursing staff. Quite often, our caregivers are trained on a case-by-case basis by outpatient staff providing PT and OT.  Special training classes are held several times a year to provide ongoing support for caregivers whose clients need special equipment and additional services.

4. Are your caregivers bonded?

Yes, Silver Leaf's caregivers are fully insured and bonded and are also covered by Worker's Compensation for any injuries that may take place while they are working.

5. Who is responsible for paying the caregivers?

Silver Leaf In-home Care is responsible for paying the caregivers, including all payroll deductions and employment taxes. Silver Leaf does all of the scheduling online and sends in payroll hours bi-weekly to a payroll service.

6. What are your rates and minimum hours of service per day?

Silver Leaf charges by the hour. The rates are flexible depending on the client's needs and locality. Silver Leaf In-Home Care offers a minimum of five hours per day up to a maximum of 24 hours per day. Care services are $34-$36 per hour.

7. How do you do your billing?

Silver Leaf sends out an invoice bi-weekly for services provided. The owner of Silver Leaf can also manage expenses such as groceries, medical supplies, or other needs — these are invoiced monthly. Caregivers utilize an online time clock. Hours are calculated through this system and downloaded for billing.

8. Are your services covered by Medicare or private insurance?

No, Silver Leaf is a non-medical, private-pay service. In most cases, if you have long-term care insurance, it will cover a certain amount of the fees for care.

9. Do I have to sign a contract?

Silver Leaf has each client sign a Care Agreement after the client and the family is satisfied with the caregivers selected to work with them. The terms of the agreement remain in full force until completion of the services as stated by the client or their family. Silver Leaf understands that the hours agreed upon may change during the course of the client's care and does not hold the client to these hours.

10. How do you ensure coverage if a caregiver is ill or has to miss work?

If Silver Leaf agrees to provide service for a certain amount of hours, those hours will be covered or we will call to make other arrangements. If it is a 24-hour-care situation, those hours are guaranteed to be covered no matter what happens. If a caregiver has an emergency or excused absence, the owner and the three managers will make sure a qualified person is there as a replacement. Very rarely this has been the owner herself. A client will never be left alone if 24-hour-care is required.

The owner is in contact with the caregivers on a daily basis and available to them for any concerns or problems 24-hours a day.

We answer the phone 24-hours a day and any client with 24-hour care will never be left alone. The caregiver will always wait for their replacement when their shift is over.