Care Calls FAQ:
Who will benefit from Care Calls?
Our Care Calls service was created with seniors in mind, though we feel individuals of any age could benefit from the service. Care Calls may be helpful for: seniors, older adults living alone, handicapped people, those with persistent health problems, and individuals grieving the loss of a loved one.
Why is a live person calling service better than an automated system?
We do not trust a system to be an effective replacement for one of the caring Care Advisers. Additionally, an automatic service can't reliably obtain the level of information that a Care Humans are always nicer to talk to than machones! Adviser can during a phone conversation.
Will it be the same individual that calls every time?
We attempt to have the same individual call each day. Each client is actually assigned to a Care Adviser and they'll be called by that very same individual the majority of the time. This enables us to develop a better connection with clients.
How long does an ordinary phone call last?
A Care Call generally lasts between 1 to 5 minutes, although in a number of cases a bit longer. All of it is determined by the client. Some clients love to chat while others simply want a fast check-in and to be reminded to take their meds. We provide every client the opportunity to participate in a friendly conversation and we strive to make certain the client doesn't feel rushed.
What do we ask and discuss on calls?
Anything you want. First, we follow your instructions. The goal is to ask a question that can then be reported to family. A simple question such as: Did you take your medicine today? On a scale of 1 to 10, how do you feel today? Do you need any assistance from your family today? Second, we will often discuss news, current events, sports, food, entertainment. Our more mature clients love to reminisce about "the good old days." We're pleased to discuss almost any subject of interest to them. As we get to know our clients, our chat typically evolves into the type of healthy discussion one would have with a friend.
What do you do if they don't answer the telephone?
If they don't answer the telephone, we're going to attempt to call them back 2 or 3 times. If there is still no answer on the third try, we will (a) leave a message that we called, and (b) we'll inform the family that we were not able to reach the client.
What will your Care Adviser do if she/he identifies an issue during a call?
If the person complains that they not feeling good, we are going to advise them to get proper medical attention. We'll immediately inform the designated contacts. For example: "Mom is complaining of a bad headache today." In the event of an emergency, while we're on a call, we are going to instruct the client to hang up and quickly dial 911 or to press the button on their medical alert system if one is available.
Is it possible to email or text a loved one with regular updates?
Sure. We can supply the contacts with the status via email or text after each call. If desired, we'll just email/text in the event there's an issue or concern.
Can I numerous contacts on file?
Definitely! We recommend having a minimum of 2 contacts on file. The contacts could be a loved one, a friend, neighbor, or a caregiver. We also suggest that one of the contacts be local, if possible.
Where are you located & are you able to call anywhere?
BlueStar Care Calls are made available by BlueStar SeniorTech in Rockville, Maryland. Calls might be made by Care Advisers from our Maryland or South Carolina or Detroit offices. All of our representatives are in the US. Our Care Calls service is available nationwide.
If you have questions please give us a call at (800) 300-1724.