Hospice Services
Licensed Home Care and Home Health Providers
Hospice & Palliative Care of Northeastern Illinois compiled these resources to help you locate care for your loved one. PLEASE NOTE: Hospice does not endorse and is not in any way affiliated with the agencies listed, nor does it receive financial or other inducements from these agencies.
Hospice is required to provide a list of caregiver resources to aid in providing adequate care to patients, but is not responsible or liable for any financial loss, damage, injury, or personal dissatisfaction with any of the agencies provided on this list. Medicare does not pay for private caregivers, however, some long-term care insurances may. Please check with your insurance carrier and the agency you select. For a more complete listing, visit Illinois Department of Public Health.
How to select a qualified caregiver
1. Make a list of the tasks you want the caregiver to do. (Patient direct care and/or household management)
2. Review your list with your hospice team. The hospice social worker can help you finalize it and suggest companies that would best meet your needs.
3. Give the agency specific information about who will best fit with your family. Someone older, outgoing, quiet, pet lover, etc.
4. Request an interview with your potential caregiver.
Interview questions
1. Who will employ the caregiver, the agency or me?
2. Who pays caregiver taxes, social security?
3. Are you covered by worker’s compensation if injured at my home?
4. What certifications do caregivers hold?
5. Can the caregiver drive? My vehicle or theirs?
6. What are your rates/special fees? Can I get a deposit back?
7. How is billing and payment of service handled?
8. May we interview a candidate? Is there a charge for this?
9. Do you have staff available 24 hours?
10. Who supervises the caregivers and how?
11. What if my caregiver needs time off, who will fill in?
12. What if my caregiver does not fit well with my family?
13. What is your grievance process?
14. Do you have a list of tasks caregivers can/cannot perform?
Licensure
The state of Illinois Department of Public Health has implemented PA 94-379 which requires all private duty health care agencies to apply for licensure as of September 1, 2008. The department will regulate their training, hiring criteria, record keeping and quality through review and site visits. There is a complete list of private duty agencies published on their website.
