Author Archive

$1,000,000/Month and I-1029 Still Not Delayed

With another state budget forecast due out this week predicted to blow more holes in the state budget deficit, the state legislature still has not officially delayed Initiative 1029, even at a price tag of $1,000,000 per month[ READ MORE ]

Regulations Proposed for Elder Care Referral Agencies

The elder care referral industry in Washington State could be facing regulation for the first time. HB 1494, a bill up for consideration in the legislature, would, among other provisions, require referral agencies to give consumers a comprehensive disclosure statement, perform an in-person assessment, and keep accurate records of referrals made. [ READ MORE ]

The Art of Home Care Staffing

A major reason home care clients prefer licensed home care agencies is that agency’s ability to find just the right caregiver for that client. In additional to such practical matters as schedule availability and skills, a good home care agency will do their best to match personality traits. This increases the likelihood that a client and caregiver will "click" and the resulting match will be a good relationship based upon mutual trust and respect. [ READ MORE ]

Delay Likely, But Initiative 1029 Still Hanging On

The Washington State fiscal crisis means that the likelihood I-1029 will be delayed another 2 - 3 years is very good. But since the law goes into effect before the legislature can act, private duty agencies as well as adult family homes and boarding homes must make some very difficult implementation decisions[ READ MORE ]

Long-Term Care Program is a CLASS Act

The CLASS Act is a voluntary, premium based long-term care insurance program part of the new health care bill. It is designed to provide affordable long-term care not covered by Medicare or private health insurance in order to keep seniors and the disabled independent. [ READ MORE ]

Home Care Referral Services: Less Choice, More Cost

Seniors and families looking for home care have many excellent resources to help in their search. For Washington State the Washington Private Duty Association (WAPDA) at www.wapda.org has an excellent website. However referral agencies that charge a fee to a home care agencies present the consumer with less choice and more cost. We urge professionals to develop their own trusted lists of home care agencies[ READ MORE ]

Uncertainty Surrounds Initiative 1029 Implementation

Uncertainty Surrounds Initiative 1029 Implementation. The initiative may be delayed due to budget cuts, regulatory agencies may not be ready to implements the requirements, and private duty home care agencies generally do not know how they will provide the training to new hires[ READ MORE ]

Seniors Who Hoard

Hoarding is a complex problem. With seniors who hoard, a caregiver from a licensed home care agency can provide monitoring and often prevent the problem from becoming a dangerous health hazard. [ READ MORE ]

Independent Private Duty Home Care Agencies & Franchises Part 2

Part one of this post talked about the benefits of the franchise model in private duty home care. This post discusses the disadvantages[ READ MORE ]

Independent Private Duty Home Care Agencies & Franchises Part 1

Private Duty home care agencies can be stand-alone independent agencies, or franchises. What are the advantages and disadvantages of the home care franchise model[ READ MORE ]

David Lawrence

David Lawrence is the CEO of Family Resource Home Care, a leading provider of senior home care services in the Northwest.