While anybody can hire an unlicensed individual as a ‘companion’, ONLY Certified Home Health Aides (CHHA) licensed by the New Jersey Board of Nursing are legally permitted to provide physical assistance such as bathing, dressing, ambulation and toileting. All Nurses providing care in New Jersey are required to be licensed by the New Jersey Board of Nursing. All of TLC’s RN’s and CHHA’s are licensed.

While many people remain active and independent as they grow older others begin to slip a bit as a result of illness, injury or memory loss. If your loved one exhibits some of the below signs it might be time for an evaluation:

• Has your loved ones appearance or hygiene changed – do they look messy; are their clothes wrinkled or smell dirty?
• Is there food in the refrigerator that is fresh and unspoiled?
• Has your loved one lost noticeable weight?
• Has your loved one missed medical or dental appointments?
• Has your loved ones memory declined or do they often appear confused?
• Does your loved one have bruises consistent with falling down?
• Does your loved one appear depressed or withdrawn?

Yes, we encourage your involvement in the decision-making process. Once you’ve decided to work with TLC we will schedule one of our Registered Nurses to meet with you, and your loved ones if you choose, to conduct a complete assessment which will identify all the services that TLC will be rendering during a typical shift. Our RN will create a Plan of Care in consultation with our Director of Nursing which is required by the State of New Jersey as well as many insurance companies who provide coverage for their insured. The plan of care will serve as the guide that our CHHA’s follow each visit. After the plan of care is established we will do our best to match you with a caregiver best suited for your individual needs, wants and personality. If you are ever unhappy with your caregiver a simple phone call to us is all that is needed to change caregivers.

All of our caregivers and RN’s are employees of TLC and are covered by professional liability insurance, surety bonds, and worker’s compensation.

At TLC Companions Home Healthcare, we know it isn’t easy to invite a stranger into your home to provide personal care. That is why our companions are thoroughly screened through personal interviews and are observed on-site as well. Each employee has a complete physical and criminal background check, drug testing, verification of licensure, certification, employment history and a thorough check of references. Our companions receive in-service training on environmental safety, medical emergencies and infection control.  They are assessed frequently during their employment to ensure continuity of care and client satisfaction and check in with one of our RN’s on a weekly basis.

We will meet with you or your family to perform an assessment and through or RN’s and Director of Nursing we will create a plan of care. We will be there to ease the stress of the transition between you or your loved one and the facility and will continue providing the services you request.

Yes. TLC works with most every Long Term Care Insurance Company and will be happy to help you set up coverage for your care.

Yes, If your doctor has prescribed clinical help that would be administered by a registered nurse, physical therapist or occupational therapist, Medicare will pay. Also, while under the care of an in-home clinician, a personal care attendant can be assigned under Medicare coverage for bathing and certain other types of personal care for a typically minimal number of hours. Medicare will not pay if you need help with daily activities such as non-prescribed personal care, meal preparation, medication reminders, housekeeping and other typical senior care services.