Synergy HomeCare

Synergy HomeCare questions and answers

What problem is Synergy HomeCare trying to solve?

Synergy HomeCare is a provider of 1-1 caregivers. We provide caregivers who go into people’s homes and help them with the little things they can’t do for themselves, or things that are difficult to do on their own. The bulk of our population is seniors, but we serve people of all ages, including children. For our seniors, we help with personal care such as bathing, meal preparation, medication reminders, transportation, errands, going to the grocery store, etc. We can do occasional visits (which we call respite), be there 24/7 or accommodate anything in between.

The aging population is booming now, especially as the baby boomers age. Our services are needed when people want to age in place – not move to a facility. Oftentimes, all they need to stay home safely is a little help; someone to drive them to the store, help them change their linens, and check in with them to make sure they are eating and feeling well.

What are some examples of how Synergy HomeCare has helped families?

We enable elderly individuals to age in place by providing one-on-one help in their home. Sometimes they are able to stay home with just a little bit of help (and sometimes with a lot of help). Additionally, we enable the families of our clients to lead a more normal life by taking over difficult or time-consuming tasks. We can do chores, run errands and be there for the client’s safety when the family cannot be there. Some clients, whether at a home or at a facility, are simply bored and need extra stimulation and enrichment. A 1-1 caregiver can provide the freedom to go to the movies, out to lunch, shopping or go for walks in nicer areas.

Synergy HomeCare is creative about coming up with a plan that works for each family. We’re able to accommodate varying family schedules and are always flexible and adaptable. Our services allow families to attend special events like weddings, vacation or a sporting event by providing respite care. We once took a client to a wedding so he could attend while the family focused on the festivities. When the client got tired and started misbehaving, we took him back to his facility.

We’ve helped clients gain access to long term care insurance coverage even though they had been denied with a previous agency. Our office manager has become an expert after working with so many insurance companies! We can even submit bills directly to the insurance provider and receive payments so our clients never have to worry about it.

When families are overwhelmed emotionally because a loved one is put on hospice, the day-to-day personal care adds a layer of responsibility that isn’t always manageable. Synergy HomeCare can do all the difficult things – bathing, diapering, feeding, turning – and the family can be there to spend quality time with the patient. A hospice organization will send skilled personnel to come in for about an hour, but this is hardly sufficient for someone who needs around-the-clock care.

Several of our clients come to us post-surgery or hospitalization for short-time help. We typically start on 24-hour shifts to be sure of their state and quickly decrease the hours of service based on need. If a family member cannot pick up someone from the hospital, we can fill that role. We have even helped new moms overwhelmed by taking care of a new baby.

Who are Synergy HomeCare’s ideal clients?

Our ideal clients are seniors who do not want to move out of their home but need a little help to stay safe and happy. About half of our clients have some form of dementia and/or Alzheimer’s Disease. Our clients may also need help due to ALS, arthritis, cancer, MS, neuropathy, Parkinson’s Disease, stroke or any other illness or condition.

Synergy HomeCare is often called because someone is a fall risk, whether they’ve previously fallen and hurt themselves or not. We are also called after surgeries such as hip or knee replacement to ensure someone is safe after a hospital stay. We often work alongside hospice to provide more extensive care than hospice organizations can provide (often round the clock).

In most instances, we are contacted by the adult children of our clients. Referred to as the “sandwich generation,” our ideal client is an adult or child who has their own responsibilities (children, job, spouse), and is having a hard time coping with doing everything for their loved one in need.

How does Synergy HomeCare add value when working with clients?

Synergy HomeCare is able to recommend which type of care is required. Families are often unsure of what they need and we can walk them through the possibilities. If we think we are not the appropriate service for them, we’ll let them know.

What sets Synergy HomeCare apart from the competition?

There are many home care agencies out there, but we are certainly different. The owner and staff are very hands-on and nurture relationships with their clients and caregivers to provide better service than the competition. The initial meeting to understand the options available is done at no obligation, and no cost. This is usually enough for families to understand the company and determine if they can trust their loved ones with Synergy HomeCare.

We want to do this well because this is about people, and making people’s lives better. We want to be proud of what we do every day – and we are! We always look for ways to make what we do better than others, and we put our creative personal touch into everything.

What services does Synergy HomeCare offer?

Synergy HomeCare complimentary services include a home assessment with no cost and no obligation, a complimentary medical alert with a minimum number of hours, complimentary family caregiver training and an introduction to other senior professionals.

Miscellaneous Synergy HomeCare services include recovery assistance after surgery and outpatient procedures, sitting with a patient during the recovery period, transportation to and from medical appointments, medication pick-up from pharmacy, move in from home to an assisted living facility and move in from assisted living to a skilled nursing facility

Our companionship services include friendly and supportive conversation, medication reminders and safety, standby assistance with morning and evening routines and the planning (and encouraging) of social activities. Our caregivers can provide incidental transportation, plan schedules and menus, encourage light exercise and active thinking, organize homes, provide respite care and Alzheimer’s and dementia care.

Personal care services include assistance with bathing and showering, personal hygiene, restroom use, dressing and grooming and mealtime feeding. Our supplemental homemaking services include errand services, light housekeeping, complete meal preparation, kitchen and bathroom cleaning and organization, laundry and ironing.

How does Synergy HomeCare measure success?

If we have removed stress from the families, we are successful. If we feel that we are helping people and our clients are well served, we are successful.

What’s the most common misconception consumers have about the in-home care industry?

Many consumers say, “It sounds expensive. I may just move to a facility.” If a client only needs a few hours, we are much cheaper and more flexible than moving to a facility. If they need 24/7 care, it will be cheaper to move to a facility – and we’re honest about that.

Home care is not licensed in California, and there is a wide disparity on standards set by each company. It is possible to cut many corners and charge a cheaper rate, but this isn’t what they should go for. We provide customers with 14 questions to ask any home care agency they choose to interview. Most won’t pass the questions, but we do. Some in-home care providers actually add cost to provide the best service. We also provide a resource showing the difference between using a contractor or private hire versus an agency. The costs between the two are different for a reason. Many consumers don’t realize they’re responsible for payroll taxes, worker’s comp, and finding backups.

How has your industry changed in the last 5 to 10 years?

A number of new bills and laws affecting our industry have passed in recent years, and more are in the works. Caregiver exemptions were previously in place which enabled us to offer more affordable prices to the customers. The labor laws now in place to protect workers have forced companies to charge higher rates.

What is something you wish every consumer knew about Synergy HomeCare?

We love what we do. Our entire staff is passionate about working with our clients, families, and caregivers. You will feel it the first time you meet us.

Has Synergy HomeCare received any awards your customers would like to know about?

Yes! In 2014 Synergy HomeCare received Home Care Pulse’s award for Provider of Choice and Home Care Pulse’s award for Employer of Choice. In 2012, Synergy HomeCare also won the SeniorHomes.com Best of the Web award.

How has Synergy HomeCare grown or evolved?

Synergy HomeCare, a non-medical home care agency franchise, was founded in 1999 to provide respite and personal care, compassion and companionship for the elderly and disabled, and care for those recovering from illness, surgery or childbirth. Synergy HomeCare is headquartered in Gilbert, Arizona and now has 140 locations throughout the United States.