Now accepting new private pay and MaineCare/Medicaid clients!
Schedule a free consultationA common question we hear is what actually happens after you contact us. Below is an overview of that process, from the first conversation through an ongoing relationship that we adjust as your loved one's needs change.
It starts with a phone call or a message through our contact page. We'll ask a few questions about your loved one's situation, answer whatever you're wondering about, and figure out together whether a free in-home consultation makes sense as a next step. There's no pressure and no commitment at this stage.
Shawna Donnay or another of our skilled care managers comes to you. Meeting in your loved one's own home lets us see the actual environment they live in, not just hear about it, and it's usually a more comfortable setting for that first real conversation than an office would be.
During the consultation, and often over more than one conversation, we take the time to actually get to know your loved one: their daily routines, preferences, personality, medical needs, and what matters most to them. We also want to understand your family's situation, who's involved, what support already exists, and what you're hoping care will make possible.
Based on what we've learned, we draft a care plan specific to your loved one, covering the services they need, how often, and what a visit should actually look like. It's not a generic package. See our home care services for the kinds of support a plan can include, or how families typically pay for care.
Before a plan goes into effect, Melissa Bicknell, our president/owner, reviews and approves it. She's a Family Nurse Practitioner with 15+ years of long-term care experience, so every plan gets her clinical judgment before care begins.
We select a caregiver based on more than availability, taking into account personality fit, relevant experience, and what we've learned about your loved one during the consultation.
Care begins on the schedule laid out in the plan. Early visits are as much about the caregiver and your loved one getting comfortable with each other as they are about completing tasks.
The relationship continues to develop past the first visit. Caregivers get to know your loved one's preferences and routines over time, from how they like things done to what helps on a harder day.
Care needs rarely stay the same for long. As your loved one's situation changes, whether that means more support, less, or something different altogether, we revisit and adjust the plan with you. Melissa Bicknell and Shawna Donnay stay involved for as long as we do, so any changes go through the same review as the original plan. This is an ongoing relationship, not a one-time setup.
You can contact us even if you haven't decided what kind of help you need yet. We can talk through your loved one's situation and go from there.