Special Needs Care
Understanding the Difference with Special Needs Care
There are many different reasons a person may experience intellectual or cognitive challenges, some are born with a condition that brings this challenge, some suffer an injury that can cause the challenge – so no one approach is right for all those we serve. Clients supported in this program are assured of the following:
- Each client supported in our Special Needs program is treated as an individual. We take the time prior to admission to understand the person we’ll be supporting by reading and understanding the ISP and meeting with and getting to know the client and all informal care providers/family.
- Staff who work with clients in our Special Needs unit are specially trained, supervised and supported ongoing. These staff are specially trained to understand intellectual and cognitive challenges, causes of these conditions and the specific techniques for providing safe support.
- We take an interdisciplinary, collaborative team approach to supporting our Special Needs clients. We believe all aspects of support, including family/informal support, must work together and be aligned for the best outcomes.
- We stay flexible and adjust support around the changing needs of the clients we serve.
- Support is designed for maximum independence. We never take choice away from our clients.
Let’s Get Started
At Superior, our services are customized for each client’s unique needs. We consider ourselves partners with our clients; we work together to make living independently a viable long-term option. Each person has different challenges, needs and dreams. We strive to help each of our clients enjoy the highest quality of life while living in the setting of their choice.
Why Choose Superior Home Care?
For those seeking in-home care in, Superior Home Care is a trusted provider offering professional services.
Services Offered by Superior Home Care:
- Customized Care Plans – Each client receives a tailored care plan designed to meet their unique needs.
- High-Quality Caregivers – Experienced, trained, and background-checked caregivers ensure safety and professionalism.
- 24/7 Availability – Around-the-clock services are available for those needing continuous support.
- Technology-Enhanced Care – Utilizing modern care technologies for better monitoring and communication.
- Commitment to Safety and Well-Being – Caregivers follow strict safety protocols to ensure a secure environment for seniors.
How to Choose the Right Home Care Provider
Finding the right senior home care provider is crucial for ensuring quality and reliability. When researching providers, consider the following:
- Assess Individual Needs – Determine the level of care required (personal care, companionship, medical care, etc.).
- Check Credentials – Ensure the provider is licensed, insured, and has experienced caregivers.
- Ask About Care Plans – A reputable agency should offer personalized care solutions.
- Review Testimonials – Look for positive reviews and feedback from other families.
- Evaluate Communication and Support – A good provider will keep family members informed and involved.
Finding the right home care provider ensures that seniors receive the best possible support while maintaining their independence. Superior Home Care stands out for its commitment to quality, safety, and personalized care. If you’re exploring senior home care options, consider reaching out to Superior Home Care for a consultation and tailored care plan.
How to Get Started with Superior Home Care
1. Call Our Office
Contact our team to discuss your loved one’s needs and determine the best care options.
2. Develop a Personalized Care Plan
We assess your senior’s unique requirements and create a customized care plan.
3. Meet Your Caregiver
We match your loved one with a trained and professional caregiver suited to their personality and needs.
4. Begin Services with Ongoing Support
Our team provides continuous monitoring and support to ensure high-quality care at all times.
About Superior Home Care
As a licensed Home Care provider by the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Superior Home Care can provide services under the following programs:
- Pennsylvania Department of Human Services for both the ODP Waiver and the Act 150/Attendant Care Waiver services
- VA to provide Aide and Attendant services
- PA Office of Long Term Living’s Community Health Choices Program (AmeriHealth Caritas, PA Health & Wellness, UPMC)
- SW-PA Area Agency on Aging to provide Options In-Home services
- Highmark Health Plan – for qualifying lines of coverage that provide hospital to home transitional care
- Other insurances (such as long-term care insurance) can be considered based on insurance policies
Services outside of the above programs can be provided on a self-pay basis.
At Superior, founded in 2002, our mission is to be way makers. We help those who come to us create a way of living, through our care and support, that enables them to truly live their best life.
Our Commitment to Clients:
- We will put you first and take the time needed to build and nurture a meaningful relationship with you.
- We will continually collaborate with you and your informal care network to ensure your care plan is always right for you.
- We will stay focused on doing those fewer, right things with exceptional attention and quality.
- We will stay responsive to your needs and accountable for delivering to you an optimal care experience.
Our Vision for the Future:
- Continuously improve our unique model of care based on the feedback and outcomes we achieve with each person we care for and support.
- Expand the impact we can make within the communities we serve and the Southwestern PA region by sharing our model of care and supporting the adoption of our best practices by other, like-focused providers of care.
At Superior, we share a passion for keeping our clients at home—safe, well and satisfied. Everything we do is centered on helping each of our clients to Live! at home.
Frequently Asked Questions About Superior Home Care
- Geriatric Care Coordination
- Companion Care/Safety Supervision
- Homemaking – (light housekeeping, shopping, errands, meal preparation)
- Personal Care/Personal Assistance – (hands on, non-medical assistance with activities of daily living such as bathing, grooming, dressing)
- Respite – (a combination of companion/homemaking/personal care but in blocks of 12 or 24 hours, meant to give caregivers of client relief)
- Handyman/Chore – (heavy cleaning, windows, carpets, assistance with moving, yard work, light home repairs, home maintenance)
We are licensed as a non-skilled, private duty home care agency in the state of PA. Our private duty program is also licensed to roster caregivers under the Registry Model of service; however, a caregiver cannot legally work in our traditional Agency Model program and be a rostered caregiver in our Registry Model.
We can provide services in Allegheny, Washington, Fayette, Greene, Westmoreland, and Butler counties. We are always open to considering a care request, so any area could be considered, although most of our caregivers serve Allegheny, Washington, and Westmoreland counties.
It is difficult to assign cost simply based on a care request, as every client has special and unique needs, and every care environment is different. It is always best to allow our admission staff to visit with you, assess your environment and care needs, and together with you work out a care plan and related costs that make the most sense for you. Under the Agency Model, there are multiple value-added aspects to our service that you may not realize until you begin receiving care.
All our clients receive an initial care assessment and a personalized care plan. Each client also receives ongoing monitoring and care coordination, to ensure our services are meeting your care needs and that you are safe, satisfied, and happy. Our staff are continually monitored as they provide care, both through regular daily monitors of their calls in and out of our automated telephony system, and through on site, unannounced visits by our field supervisors. We provide backup coverage should your regular caregiver need time off. We provide regular training and specialized speakers that are always open to our clients and/or families to attend. We provide our families with the support and guidance they need to navigate through the maze of caring for a loved one – from getting the care and supplies needed to determining how to pay for it. We provide on call support after hours seven days/week.
In general, you can expect to pay between $28.75 – $35.75 an hour for services like companion, homemaking or personal care services; $35.00 – $55.00/hour for chore, Home Health aide bath visits are a minimum of $50/visit (visit cannot exceed 2 hours). Final rates will be based on your specific care needs. It is possible that a companion only case could cost more than a homemaking case – simply based on the care circumstances. Rates are adjusted on an annual basis to accommodate cost of living increases.
We are also mandated by our Medicaid contract to charge private duty and visit rates at or above our contracted Medicaid rates – those rates can change periodically, and they will dictate our minimum ranges for each service type.
There could be different rates charged depending on the duration of the shift you request, whether you need care on a holiday, and if you request a caregiver to work overtime. Generally, the difference is applied as an hourly differential for each hour worked. All these costs, or potential costs, will be fully outlined in writing and explained in detail to you prior to receiving care. We will also remind you of any additional amount you could be charged if you request care during a time that will cause you to incur any additional costs.
- PA Medicaid Waiver (Attendant Care/Act 150, ODP)
- PA Medicaid/Community Health Choices MCO’s: UPMC, Amerihealth Caritas, PA Health & Wellness
- Area Agency on Aging Options program (Washington, Fayette, Greene, Westmoreland)
- VA
- ALS
- Community Life
- Longwood at Home
- Providence at Home
- Medicaid (Waiver Programs)
- UPMC, Amerihealth Caritas, PA Health & Wellness – Community Health Choices Program
- VA
- Various Long Term Care Insurances
- Some Private Insurances
Yes, we – and all our caregivers – are fully insured with the following:
- Professional Liability
- General Liability
- Worker’s Compensation
- Property Insurance
- Dishonesty/Crime Insurance (what “bonded” means)
- Umbrella Auto Insurance (above what our individual caregivers must maintain)
The above insurances cover everything from a caregiver injury while providing you care, to repair or replacement of something broken by one of our caregivers.
We employ the following types of caregivers:
- Companions/Homemakers
- Personal Care Aides
- Certified Nurse Aides/Home Health Aides
Each type of caregiver has specific training requirements and can provide certain levels of care based on that training. Home care aides typically have between 40 and 75 hours of training (formal or through previous on the job training). All of our employees are CPR/1st aid certified, have clear criminal records, a complete physical upon hire, are free from communicable diseases and are tested for TB. All staff must also pass a series of hands-on skills competency tests and an intensive orientation. Every employee has at least two positive reference checks and must be a solid match for our agency’s mission and philosophy in care delivery. All newly hired employees must undergo an initial assessment phase of 90 days of enhanced monitors that verifies and assures they are a good fit and can meet all performance expectations while in the field. Employees must also complete a minimum of 12 hours of continuing education annually. Our employees are monitored in the field regularly and performance is evaluated formally twice a year.
Reliable, satisfying coverage is our priority, we understand how important this is to our clients – so we will make every attempt initially to create the best match possible for you, using our unique skill matching system. If at any time you are not fully satisfied with your caregiver, you should call your Coordinator who handles your care coordination and discuss your concerns with him/her. We always do everything we can to work at finding the best fit, which is for your benefit and the benefit of our caregivers.
We are available 24/7 – if you need us after 5pm, before 9am or on the weekend/ a holiday, we can be reached at (412) 523-7841. If your caregiver calls off, you will be given a choice for a replacement, we try to plan proactively for times like this by having at least one other qualified caregiver shadow with your regular staff person. If you would like a replacement aide, we will send a replacement caregiver on the day your regular caregiver is off. There are times when we are given little or no notice of an employee call off, and in those cases we may experience difficulty finding a qualified, immediately available replacement. Reliability is one of the most important aspects of our care, so we always do everything we can to assure we cover all shifts/visits, but you should always have a backup plan in place as well.
