Home > Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Services, Pricing, Packages, and Contact Information

Home care can be a complicated topic. This section of our website may be able to answer some of your questions about service, pricing, and packages.

If you have questions that need immediate answer or are not found on this page, please call:

858-369-5930

Click on the links beneath the categories below to direct you to a specific answer or scroll down to read them all.

Pricing Questions

Why is Home Care so expensive?
Does insurance cover non-medical care?
Doesn't medicare pay for home care?
Are there other charges?
How are my rates decided?
How often can my rates change?
What is the cost for a long term full time live in nanny?

Rate Questions

What are your rates?
Specialty and Therapy services?
What are the rates for nannies and doulas?

Services Questions

Is there a minimum number of hours?
Overnight Care?
24 Hour Care?
Live-in caregivers?
What is the difference between an nanny and a doula?
Can I split a shift over two days?
What if I normally have my nanny for 20 hrs per week but one week fall below because of vacation or illness? Do I have to pay during vacation ?

Discount Questions

What discounts do you offer?
Am I eligible for a 5% discount?
Are there other ways that I can lower my childcare costs?
Are there any other eligibility requirements to get the 5% discount?

Quality Questions

What kind of balance is there between price and quality?
How do you evaluate caregivers before hiring them?
What happens if a caregiver is injured while in my home?
What happens if a caregiver calls out sick?
What makes Whole Life Home Health Care different than another Home Care agency?

Contant Information

What are the hours to call with questions?
Who shall I talk to if I have a billing question?

Why is Home Care so expensive?

Quality Caregivers! 

In hiring employees we screen very carefully for experience and for honesty, maturity and compassion. Our caregivers are required to have a nice car and insurance, so that they may transport you and your loved ones safely.  They must have education, training and experience in the field and we make sure that they have current vaccinations, clean health history and are not contagious. In order to attract and hire excellent staff we need to pay a living wage and that is quite high here in San Diego. 

Remember, the agency also pay for taxes, insurance, continuing education, vacation and many other benefits to keep you caregivers happy in their jobs. 

We are also heavily insured for your benefit, for example, all of our caregivers have Worker's Compensation protection.  This is very important because if any care giver is hurt at your home or providing care to yOur Staff this insurance will cover them.  If you hired a care giver privately and did not pay for this insurance, the hurt worker could still file a claim and then you would be responsible for heavy fines and penalties as well as the premiums.

You also have the benefit of advocacy, supervision, support and training from our RN.  Home care RN's or Geriatric Care Managers usually cost $150-$200 per hour. Our RN assessment and support services are absolutely free to yOur Staff.

More questions about pricing?

Talk to Vicki. She's not only an experienced caregiver and holistic specialist, but she's a registered RN and the CEO.

Vicki Wolfrum, RN
CEO / RN CNM / IBCLC / CHCM

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Does Insurance cover non-medical home care?

Long term care insurance covers non-medical home care for seniors who meet the criteria.  There are also programs from the Veteran's administration, Regional Center and Medi-Cal that may provide some coverage for non-medical homecare. 

We can advise you if any of these insurances would cover your care and help you apply for coverage.  Most home care must be paid for out of pocket.

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Doesn't Medicare pay for home health care?

Yes, Medi-care does pay for "short term and intermittent" home health care when ordered by a physician. This is usually a nurse coming 1-2 weekly to perform medical procedures like IVs or dressing changes.  They may also pay for 1-2 weekly visits from a homemaker for a limited time. 

They do not assist with activities of daily living. They do not provide long term support and assistance. We often work together with home health agencies to provide the majority of the care.

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What are your rates?

Our rates are negotiated to fit the care needs and the budget needs of each client. We try our best to make the care that you need affordable. 

The hourly rate is based on the acuity of the client, the type of care requested and on the education training and experience of the caregiver.  Naturally, clients that require more complex care will be charged at a higher rate.  Couples or multiples will also be charged at a higher rate if both/all need care.

The fewer number of hours the more expensive the hourly wage.  Clients who need 24 hour or live-in care will have the most economical rates.

Children:

Best Baby Ever:

*Hourly rates: Babies ad $2 per hour, 1 additional child $2 per hour, 2 additional children add $3 per hour

Adults:

More questions about Rates?

Talk to Vicki. She's not only an experienced caregiver and holistic specialist, but she's a registered RN and the CEO.

Vicki Wolfrum, RN
CEO / RN CNM / IBCLC / CHCM

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Is there a minimum number of hours?

Two hours minimum per visit is required.   

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Are there other charges?

If the caregiver drives in his/her own car to provide the client with transportation or for client errands, the charge will be .55 per mile.

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What about Overnight care?
Can some one stay ovenight with my children while I am out of town?

Yes, we have mature responsible caregivers who can stay at your home over night or 24 hours a day. Occasional overnight care will be charged at the regular rates.  Overnight care on a nightly basis will be negotiated based on the amount of care provided and the number of hours required weekly.  

If the caregiver is allowed to sleep for a 6 hour stretch at night, the charge can be lowered.  If the job is booked for more than 60 hrs per week, the charge can also be lowered. 

If the job is respite or vacation care, we can work out a package rate for the time requested.

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Do you provide 24 hour care and how does this work?

24 hour care is usually split into two 12 hr shifts or three 8hr shifts.  There may be a higher or lower cost for care on different shifts based on the work required.

24 hour shift $257.50 per shift
12 Hr shift $159.65 per shift

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What if the care provider lives in my home, don't I get a discount?

The law is very specific about the amount that can be considered "room and board" and it adds up to $123.10 per week.  

The law also requires the client to provide time where the person is free to come and go as they please and to engage in their own activities.  

A live in caregiver, also may not be required to work more than 5 days in a row without time off.  A caregiver must be paid for all hours worked, but staggered rates or salaried rates can be negotiated with the agency.  Having an agency employ your caregiver protects you from potential lawsuits or additional expenses.

Live in Rates: They vary for each individual but examples include
$775 per week (8 hrs 5 days)
$1085 per week (12hrs/7days)
$1750 per week (24 hrs/7 days)

A small deduction of $120 per week room and board can be made by law, if a single room is provided with three meals a day.

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Specialty or Therapy Services and Rates

Check with your doctor; many surgeries require a minimum of 24 hour post-op care. Transportation services include seeing that the client gets into their home and settled safely. Other packages include meal preparation, medication reminders, homemaking and personal assistant tasks. A full list of caregiver tasks is available. Hourly rate based on individual assessment of care needs, acuity and number of hours booked. All rates are subject to change. Minimum 2 hours care required .

All specialty treatments are provided in the privacy of the client's home. Discounts may be available for multiple visits, purchasing several treatments at the same time and for special affiliations i.e. veterans & doctor referrals.

More questions about Rates?

Talk to Vicki. She's not only an experienced caregiver and holistic specialist, but she's a registered RN and the CEO.

Vicki Wolfrum, RN
CEO / RN CNM / IBCLC / CHCM

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Non-Medical Private Duty and Post-Surgical Care

What discounts do you offer?

We offer discounts* for:

Military and Veterans
EL Camino Pediatrics
San Diego Parent Connection members
MamaSource
MOM- Mothers of Multiples
Meet Up BFSG Group

*Please note: discounts at the discretion of Management

Want to see if you qualify for a discount?

Talk to Debbie. She's a pro and she can answer just about any questions you have about rates, services, our staff, and any other frequently asked questions you may have.

Debbie Goble
Director of Client Services

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What kind of balance is there between price and quality?

We understand that privately paid home care is expensive and we will work together with you to make it affordable.  We will do everything possible to provide the most qualified person for the job. If finances are an issue please feel free to explain them to us so that we can best accommodate your budget.  We may not be the cheapest homecare available but we are the best.  Home care is only as good as the providers and we receive nothing but compliments about our caregivers.

To offer your loved one the best possible care, we strive to have the best quality caregiver available for the job.  This means that we do not pay our workers minimum wage but try to pay something commiserate with their skills and talents.  We look for and pay for experience, for home health aide and nursing assistant certifications and for college education.  If we send a specialty care giver, we make sure that they have the proper education and licenses.

How do you evaluate caregivers before hiring them?

Our caregivers go through extensive background checks, drug screens, and in house training.  We offer you peace of mind and security knowing  that we only allow caregivers to work if they pass all of the checks and have great references.

Find out more about the recognition our caregivers receive, by viewing our Testimonials page.

Want to find out more about our caregivers and our staff?

Talk to Debbie. She's a pro and she can answer just about any questions you have about rates, services, our staff, and any other frequently asked questions you may have.

Debbie Goble
Director of Client Services

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What happens if a caregiver is injured while in my home?

All of our caregivers are employees.  We pay their taxes and most importantly we pay their Worker's Compensation Insurance, disability insurance and unemployment insurance.  When you have a worker in your home who is not an employee of an agency, who is injured on the job, it is your responsibility. They will file with the State for Worker's Compensation.  If you have not paid into this system, not only will you have to pay for the injury but you will have to pay back insurance premiums taxes and penalties  to the state.

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What happens if a caregiver calls out sick?

When your caregiver is sick or has an accident, we will immediately send a substitute, so that your loved one will never be without care.  If we don't have a replacement  caregiver available, the CEO will come herself.  We take our responsibility very seriously and will never leave you without care.

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What are the hours to call with questions?

You can call 858-369-5930 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Our RN is available to answer important questions and we have a very helpful staff to address any non-medical questions about services.

Talk to Vicki. She's not only an experienced caregiver and holistic specialist, but she's a registered RN and the CEO.

Vicki Wolfrum, RN
CEO / RN CNM / IBCLC / CHCM

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What makes Whole Life different than another Home Care agency?

We are the first holistic home care agency in San Diego to offer Integrative Care, combining conventional western medicine with proven complimentary and alternative therapies.

We are a dedicated and compassionate health care team providing superior care for the whole person, addressing the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual needs of each.

We believe that a profitable and green, medical business model giving better care at a lower cost will improve community health care.

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What is the difference between an nanny and a doula?

Postpartum doulas have special education and training to care for both the mother and the baby following the birth. They have more knowledge and experience in specialty areas like breastfeeding, helping siblings adjust to a newborn, post cesarean recovery and postpartum depression. Doulas specialize in caring for the entire family during the first 6 weeks after a new baby comes home. Some postpartum doulas are willing to stay with a new mother and her infant(s) for up to the first year of life.

Nannies may have experience with newborns and new mothers but their focus is primarily on the newborn. They usually have a skill for feeding difficult infants or helping the new family to develop good sleep routines. Many nannies stay with families for years as the children grow and develop. We offer on-going education and training for all of our nannies.

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What are the rates for nannies and doulas?

Nannies range start at $16 per hour and live-in nannies at $14/hr

Doulas range from $23.00 to $35.00 per hour * 6 week special is $26 hr

Rates are based on the hours requested, the age and number of children, special needs and time of day or night. Nighttime hours start after 8 pm.

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Am I eligible for a 5% discount?

We offer a 5% discount to all families who plan to use our doula or nanny services for a 6 month period or more for more than 20 hours each week. This is not based on a contract but on the honor system.

We automatically discount 5% on top of our already low prices, each billing week with more than 20 hours.

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Are there other ways that I can lower my childcare costs?

You can lower your costs by hiring your care provider for 10 or 12 hour shifts.

Our lowest rates are for 12 and 24 hours shifts. With the high cost of gas and the distances some nannies and doulas travel, they prefer longer shifts and we offer our clients a very special rate for these shifts 12/hr nanny= $185 12/hr doula $275 24/hr nanny=$360 24/hr doula =$500

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Can I split a shift over two days?

No the special shift rate is only for 10 or 12 or 24 hours worked in a single day.

We do have some special rates for live -in and full time nannies and doulas.

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What if I normally have my nanny for 20 hrs per week but one week fall below because of vacation or illness? Do I have to pay during vacation ?

That one week your billing will not include the 5% discount. No, as long as you give us 24hr notice, you will not be charged during your vacation or sick time. Two hours will be billed for less than 24hr notice.

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Are there any other eligibility requirements to get the 5% discount?

To be eligible to receive the 5% discount you must have a credit card on file and pay weekly by credit card or check. All payments will be made directly to the agency, not to the caregiver.

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How are my rates decided?

First of all the number of hours and the time of day is taken into consideration. Less than four hours per visit will result in the highest fees. Night time fees for newborns or when 6 hours of uninterrupted sleep is not possible will also be billed at a higher rate. Longer shifts will be billed at the lower rate.

The next consideration is the ages of the child(ren), the number of children and the type of care required. Multiples or special needs children may require more specialized or experienced care that will be billed at a higher rate.

For long term care, the hourly base rate is $16. We add an additional $2 for night time care , age: baby under one year, additional child. Two additional children will incur an additional $3/hour charge.

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Who shall I talk to if I have a billing question?

Charges are usually quoted when the job is booked and will be written on Whole Life Home Care Contract of Services. Initial rates are usually provided when the representative from Whole Life makes your home visit and explains our services to you.

If the job hours or requirements necessitate a change, you will receive a written change from our billing services. If you have any questions or problems with our billing, please contact LeAnn Rytz or Lisa Pryor during business hours at 858-369-5930.

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How often can my rates change?

You can expect that your rates will change once a year by 2-5% based on the cost of living increases.

You will receive 60 days notice before any increase in your annual rates. If your rates change because
the job changes, a new baby comes home for example, you will be given 7 days notice.

Rates may rise because of higher gas prices and other cost of living increases.

When your rates rise, you can expect that your nannies wages will increase as well.

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What is the cost for a long term full time live in nanny?

When a live in nanny is provided with her own room, three meals daily and works 16hrs per day :

5 days per week/ $1120 per week 6days/$1344 7 days /$1568 Usual:1-2 days off per week

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Vicki Wolfrum
CEO / RN CNM / IBCLC / CHCM
vicki@wholelifehomecare.com

If you have any questions about our services, rates, packages, and availability, please call Vicki Wolfrum at 858-369-5930

Have a specific question that you can't find on our Frequently Asked Questions? Contact Us and we'll find a solution for you!