Home health care provides skilled medical and rehabilitation services (such as nursing or physical therapy) requiring a doctor's order. Personal care focuses on non-medical assistance with daily activities like bathing, dressing, meal preparation, housekeeping, errands, and companionship.
Frequently asked
questions
Click on the links below for valuable information regarding care for seniors, caregivers and families.
Home Health Care
What are the signs my aging parent or loved one needs in-home care?
Common signs include difficulty with daily tasks like bathing or dressing, frequent falls or mobility issues, missed medications, uncollected mail, uncharacteristic clutter, weight loss, or difficulty recovering after a recent illness or hospital stay.
What home health care services do you provide?
Services include skilled nursing, physical and occupational therapy, wound care, medication management, IV therapy, health monitoring, and patient/caregiver education. We also assist patients transitioning home after a hospital or rehabilitation stay.
Who qualifies for home health care, and do I need a doctor's order?
Home health care is appropriate if you require skilled nursing or therapy and have difficulty leaving home safely. Yes, home health care requires an order from a qualified health care provider, and we coordinate directly with your physician to establish your plan of care.
Does Medicare cover home health care services?
Yes. Medicare covers qualifying home health services at no cost to eligible patients. Covered care includes skilled nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and other medically necessary services provided in your home.
How quickly can home health or personal care start in an urgent situation?
We work to begin care as quickly as possible, often within 24 to 48 hours after receiving a physician's referral or care request. We also coordinate directly with hospital and rehabilitation discharge planners to ensure a seamless transition home.
How long can I receive home health care services?
There is no set length of time. Home health services continue based on your medical needs, progress toward health goals, and ongoing Medicare or insurance eligibility.
What services can an in-home personal caregiver help with?
Personal caregivers assist with everyday non-medical needs, including bathing, dressing, grooming, meal preparation, light housekeeping, laundry, errands, transportation, and companionship.
Does Wisconsin Family Care, IRIS, or Medicaid pay for in-home care?
Depending on your location and qualification, long-term care programs such as Wisconsin Family Care, IRIS (Include, Respect, I Self-Direct), and Medicaid Personal Care can help cover in-home personal care services. Contact us to verify coverage options in your area.
Does long-term care insurance or VA benefits cover in-home personal care?
Yes. Many long-term care insurance policies cover personal care at home. Additionally, qualifying veterans and surviving spouses may be eligible for VA benefits (such as Aid and Attendance) to pay for in-home care. We can assist you in reviewing your benefits.
Non-medical home care
Why should I engage the help of a home care organization?
Caregivers can provide your loved ones with a variety of assistance, enabling them to remain in their home as long as possible. Our services are less expensive than most assisted living facilities and our care is one-on-one. We pride ourselves on strong relationships between our caregivers and the clients in their care. Your loved one will receive personalized care based on their individual needs as well as companionship.
What can your caregivers do for my family?
First, we provide peace of mind. Your family member will be treated with the utmost dignity and respect. Our services include: bathing and dressing assistance, grooming assistance (oral cares, hair, shaving, etc), meal prep, light housekeeping, medication reminders, transportation to/from appointments, grocery shopping, companionship, etc.
What tasks won't your caregivers perform?
Because we are non-medical, our staff are not able to administer medications or insulin.
Will my health insurance pay for your services?
Unfortunately not. There is a movement to have insurance companies begin to pay for this, but it has not happened yet.
What is your minimum number of hours?
Our regular rates are based on a two-hour minimum. If you need less than two hours, it is billed at a premium rate.
What if I need to change the schedule we originally set up?
We offer flexible scheduling for both our clients and caregivers. Give our office a call - we will do whatever we can to make sure you are satisfied.
Do I need to have a doctor's order to have you start?
No, a referral isn't necessary for personal care, although you may receive a referral from other clients, family members, a doctor, hospice, rehab, churches, friends, etc. You can always call and start service on your own as well.
Do you charge for an assessment to get me started?
Assessment fees are waived if you begin services within thirty days. If you begin services after thirty days, another assessment may need to be completed. Assessment fees are applied toward your first invoice as a credit provided they are paid by the time you receive your first statement for services.
Do you provide pet care?
Unfortunately we do not for liability reasons.
How do I pay for your services?
Non-medical home care is not covered by insurance. We accept checks and money orders, or we can set up ACH when possible.
We also offer gift certificates. This is a welcomed gift by a friend or loved one who doesn't need more stuff. We find clients warmly accept gift certificates and love the service after they try it.
How much does personal care cost out-of-pocket?
Out-of-pocket costs depend on the level of assistance needed and frequency of visits. We offer flexible private-pay options and can help explore state programs or insurance benefits to minimize out-of-pocket expenses.
How are personal care schedules and minimum hours handled?
Care schedules are customized around your personal routine, preferences, and caregiver availability. Minimum visit hours vary by location, so contact your local office to discuss scheduling options.
Can I receive home health or personal care in an assisted living facility?
Yes. Home health and personal care services can be delivered wherever you reside, including assisted living facilities, senior living communities, or family homes when extra one-on-one assistance is required.
Can I receive both home health care and personal care at the same time?
Yes. Many clients benefit from combining skilled home health care (nursing/rehabilitation) with ongoing personal care assistance (daily living support) to address all medical and daily routine needs simultaneously.
How do I know whether I need home health care or personal care?
If you require clinical nursing, wound care, or therapy, home health care is appropriate. If you primarily need assistance with daily tasks like bathing, cooking, or housekeeping, personal care is the right fit. We can perform an initial consultation to guide you.
How do you evaluate and determine my customized care plan?
We meet with you and your family to discuss health needs, daily routines, personal goals, and safety concerns. Depending on the service, a clinical or personal care assessment is completed to build a tailored plan of care.
Which Wisconsin counties and communities does Transitions At Home serve?
Transitions At Home provides care across designated regional coverage areas in Wisconsin. Contact your local office directly or fill out our online form to confirm service availability in your specific county or municipality.
Are your caregivers and clinical staff background-checked and trained?
Yes. All caregivers and clinical staff undergo comprehensive background checks, screening, and rigorous training in compliance with Wisconsin Department of Health Services standards to ensure safe, high-quality care.
What happens if my care needs change over time?
We regularly evaluate your progress and care plan. If your needs increase or decrease, we can easily adjust visit frequencies or transition you seamlessly between personal care and skilled home health services.
What happens if my care needs change over time?
Getting started is simple. Call your local Transitions At Home office or fill out our online contact form. Our team will answer your questions, assist with insurance or program verification, and schedule a free, inhome consultation.
What if I don't need your services forever, or it's just not working out? Can I cancel?
Yes. We just ask for one week's notice to cancel services.
Can I cancel a scheduled visit?
Yes. We ask for 24-hour notice to cancel, however, if there is a medical emergency, we will take it on a case-by-case basis.
What if I forget to cancel a visit?
If the caregiver shows up, or is already on their way, you will be billed for their visit or a maximum of four hours for visits that were scheduled for four hours or more.
Is there someone to talk to after-hours?
Yes, we have an answering service available and our staff is available for emergencies 24/7. Non-emergency issues will be addressed the next business day.
My parents need help. Do you charge per person or per hour, or just per hour regardless if it's a couple?
Each situation is different. However, we would never charge an hourly fee per person if they are in the same household unless they are scheduled as two separate visits. For example: Mom needs a shower and breakfast in the morning, but dad receives services in the evening. In that case it would be two separate visits and billed as such.
What is required to become a Transitions At Home caregiver?
Our caregivers must be able to pass a criminal background check, have at least one year of verifiable experience, have credible work references and must be able to legally work in the US.
What language will your caregivers speak?
Our caregivers speak English. We also offer Boostlingo, an on-demand language interpretation service for over 300 spoken languages and ASL.
What is included in your fee?
Our fee includes all local, state and federal taxes, workers comp, unemployment taxes and liability insurance.
I worked in a group home. Do your clients have behaviors?
We only provide services in private homes. Our clients are generally very happy and grateful for the assistance and companionship our staff provides.
My parent lives in a nursing home or assisted living and could use a little help. Can you do that?
Yes. We can provide one-on-one care with services billed to you or your loved one. (We also offer gift certificates.) Extra care and attention is especially helpful during the current nationwide staffing shortages, when mom/dad have periods of restlessness, or just need a little extra companionship and care.
Non-medical home care can't provide medical assistance including medication management, but our home health division of Transitions can.
Learn More About
Our Services
Be Our Next
Success Story