Licensed Home Care Agency

• Will my loved one be well cared for by a trained caregiver?
• Will a Plan of Care be put in place and monitored by a registered nurse?
• Is my caregiver well-screened with a background check?
• Does my caregiver have the right skillset for the care needed?
• Is there someone to call if I have a problem or if my caregiver is unable to work?
• Is my caregiver bonded?
• Who is responsible for taxes on my caregiver’s wages and workman’s compensation insurance if my caregiver is injured on the job?

Partnering with Sterling Care will help answer all of those questions. We are a licensed, full-service home health care agency registered under the stringent standards the Connecticut Department of Health.  We employ all of our in-home Sterling Caregivers and provide their screening, training, insurance and supervision. Our initial nursing assessment and development of a customized Plan of Care – which is implemented and monitored by a registered nurse – is a crucial step to ensure that the needs of your loved one are identified and matched with the skills and competencies of the chosen caregiver.

With Sterling Care

• We are a full-service Home Health Care Agency that can provide the right type of non-medical and medical cares to you or your loved one
• We are responsible for the care that our caregivers provide
• We assume responsibility for worker taxes, insurance, benefits, etc.
• You have a back-up system in place should the usual caregiver be unable to work
• We are responsible for caregiver supervision and replacement
• We do full background and reference checks
• We provide continuing education for caregivers
• A registered nurse monitors all care
• Our staff is trained in the Sterling Care Way of handling patents
• We are responsible for monitoring the licensing of our staff

Why Use a Licensed Home Health Care Agency vs. a Licensed Homemaker-Companion Agency vs. a Licensed Homemaker-Home Health Aide Agency

Not all home care agencies are the same. In the State of Connecticut, there are three main types of agencies that can provide services in your home.

A licensed Homemaker-Companion Agency is registered with the Department of Consumer Protection and can only provide non-medical care in your home. There are relatively few requirements to become a licensed Homemaker-Companion Agency and there is no health-related experience required for the management of the agency. You can see what is required to open and operate a Licensed Homemaker-Companion Agency.

A licensed Homemaker-Home Health Aide Agency is registered with the Department of Public Health and is allowed to provide non-medical care using companions and home health aides.  A Homemaker-Home Health Aide Agency is surveyed on a regular basis by the Connecticut Department of Health. Its management must consist of experienced healthcare providers and include an Administrator and a Nursing Care Supervisor. Its staff must have in-service training throughout the year. You can see what is required to open and operate a Licensed Home Health Care Agency.

A licensed Home Health Care Agency is registered with the Department of Public Health and is allowed to provide non-medical care using companions and certain types of medical care-using nurses, home health aides, physical therapists, occupational therapist, speech therapists and medical social workers. A Home Health Care Agency is surveyed on a regular basis by the Connecticut Department of Health and its management must consist of experienced health care providers and include an Administrator, a Supervisor of Clinical Services and a Nursing Care Coordinator. Its staff must have in-service training throughout the year. You can see what is required to open and operate a Licensed Home Health Care Agency.

Oftentimes, it is confusing for consumers to determine the type of agency being advertised and what type of services it is legally allowed to provide. Click to see if an agency is a licensed Home Health Care Agency and select Home Health Care Agency under license type.

With An Independent Caregiver Hired Directly By You Or From A Registry or An Employment Agency

• You are ultimately responsible for interviewing and hiring applicants
• You are responsible for performing background and reference checks
• You are responsible for taxes, insurance and benefits
• You are responsible for supervising, dismissing and replacing an inappropriate caregiver
• There is no guarantee of clinical training or experience
• There is no ongoing and additional caregiver training
• No back-up system is in place should the caregiver be unable to work
• No Plan of Care is established by a registered nurse
• Care is not monitored by a registered nurse