Resources

We can tailor a care plan that lets your loved one maintain a level of independence in the comfort of home. Our caregivers can provide care, meal prep, light housekeeping, medication management, companionship, and transportation (to and from the grocery store, for example, or a doctor’s appointment). 

Our caregivers span a range of ages, races, and ethnicities. We have female and male caregivers. Many have previous experience as a home health aide, certified nursing assistant (CNA), or a licensed vocational nurse (LVN). We seek out the very best caregiver candidates, hiring just the top 10% of applicants. As part of our in-depth interview process, we assess five dimensions of personality for each caregiver, to produce the best personality match with clients. 

When it comes to identifying a resource for in-home care, it can be tempting to rely on friends and family. But few family members (or family friends) have the training to provide high-quality care. It’s also worth thinking through what happens if that friend or family member gets sick or is otherwise unable to help for a period of time. You may be left without a backup plan. At A First Name Basis, we have a deep bench of caregivers who can step in and care for your loved one when such circumstances arise. Finally, it’s important to use an agency such as A First Name Basis if you are filing claims for in-home care using long-term care insurance. 

If you “work out a deal” to pay a private caregiver, you become the employer of that caregiver. The IRS requires that you file paperwork for that independent contractor. (You will need to pay Medicare and Social Security taxes for that individual too.) You also bear responsibility for ensuring that the caregiver is eligible to work in this country. Finally, a client and their family can be held liable if a private caregiver (working as an independent contractor) is injured on the job while in the client’s home. By contrast, when you enlist A First Name Basis, we handle employment paperwork and taxes for our caregivers. We carry liability insurance, and our caregivers are covered by Workers’ Compensation for injuries while on duty.

Yes. A First Name Basis is licensed, insured, and bonded. We have taken the necessary precautions to protect the liability of our clients. We want our clients and their families to have peace of mind.

Yes. Keeping our caregivers fully bonded and insured protects our clients and their families against any potential loss or liability. When you turn to A First Name Basis for in-home care, you can have every confidence about inviting our caregivers into your loved one’s home.

Yes. We hire our caregivers directly. All are full-time employees, not “gig” workers or independent contractors. A First Name Basis pays all required state and federal taxes for our caregivers, including Medicare and Social Security taxes. We provide our full-time caregivers with health and dental insurance as well as other employment benefits. 

Yes. No money changes hands directly between the caregiver and the client. (The same goes for the client’s family.) A First Name Basis maintains responsibility for paying our caregivers.

Yes. All our caregivers go through a rigorous 21-point evaluation and training program, which includes background checks, drug screening, and a follow-up with references. If your loved one has transportation needs, the caregivers in that role must all pass a driver safety quiz. Caregivers who drive must also demonstrate that they have a valid state driver’s license, an up-to-date car registration, and personal auto insurance. 

Yes. At A First Name Basis, every client is assigned a dedicated Care Manager, who is based out of a local office. Your Care Manager will oversee your loved one’s care plan, arranging for regular home visits just to check in. Your Care Manager coordinates caregiver scheduling. Your Care Manager can be reached anytime, if the need arises. Our Care Managers are empowered to resolve any issues.

Yes. At A First Name Basis, our Real-Time Caregiver Monitoring System keeps us updated about every client’s care. Our caregivers are required to check in (using our mobile app) on arrival at a client’s home. Not only does this allow us to verify prompt arrival for each shift, but the same secure mobile app puts your loved one’s care plan, including necessary medications, at the caregiver’s fingertips. This keeps everyone on the same page, and lessens the chance of human error because caregivers don’t have to rely on handwritten notes. 

Yes, our caregivers can help your loved one with transportation needs (appointments, shopping, etc.). We require every caregiver in that role to pass our driver safety quiz. Caregivers who drive for clients will also have a valid state driver’s license, an up-to-date car registration, and personal auto insurance (minimum state-required liability coverage or greater). A First Name Basis provides a second layer of protection with our non-owned auto insurance coverage.

Yes, we will ask you to sign an agreement, but it does not obligate you to a service minimum, or even to continue doing business with A First Name Basis. It is merely a statement of agreement between both parties. Our agreement will outline your loved one’s care plan and pricing options.

Yes. We accept Medicaid benefits in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Arkansas. We can connect you with your local Medicaid office to get the necessary waiver. Find the office nearest to your loved one here.  

Yes. Veterans (or surviving spouses of a veteran) may be eligible for the Aid & Attendance benefit from the Veterans Administration (VA). We can even help you with the paperwork necessary to apply for VA benefits. To learn about eligibility requirements, visit va.gov or call the VA Benefits Hotline (1-800-827-1000).

Yes. Respite Care pays for short-term in-home care for a veteran providing a break (or “respite”) for family caregivers who might need to run errands, or even go out of town for a few days. Learn who is eligible: Visit va.gov or call the VA Benefits Hotline (1-800-827-1000). A First Name Basis can help you with the paperwork needed to apply.

Yes. In the case of the PCA Respite benefit, a VA physician must write the order, and the veteran must request A First Name Basis as the care provider. Visit va.gov or call the VA Benefits Hotline (1-800-827-1000) to learn more. (Here too, A First Name Basis can help you with the paperwork needed to apply.)

Yes. Contact us to discuss your loved one’s policy and how it can apply to in-home care.

We want to hire the best caregivers, because that leads to the best care for our clients. If you are a home health aide, certified nursing assistant (CNA), licensed vocational nurse (LVN), or simply someone with a passion for caregiving, we want to hear from you. We give our caregivers the support, training, compensation, and benefits to build a career. No one is there for caregivers like A First Name Basis. Join our team.

Our non-medical in-home care spans personal care, meal prep, light housekeeping, medication management, companionship, and sometimes transportation. This section of the website details many common caregiver responsibilities.

Yes. We will train you for any aspects of the job that you may be less familiar with. We set our caregivers up for success. As part of your training, you will receive first aid training, CPR certification, fall prevention certification, as well as Alzheimer’s and dementia care training. (This training is at our expense at A First Name Basis, not yours.) You will also receive 16+ hours of continuing education each year – again at no cost to you. In fact, you’ll be paid your hourly rate for those 16+ hours of refresher courses each year. See our 21-point evaluation and training program for caregivers.

A First Name Basis provides non-medical in-home care for two client groups: (1) older adults, and (2) intellectually or developmentally disabled adults and children. You will be helping these clients maintain a level of independence at home. You will be making a profound difference in their lives, helping them to experience meaningful moments and beautiful days.

Yes. Like any job, caregiving can have its challenges from time to time. But, in the big picture, our caregivers find the work to be deeply rewarding. Many caregivers with A First Name Basis build deep affection for their clients: In fact, our average caregiver-to-client relationship exceeds four years. A First Name Basis also stands out for how we support caregivers. We give caregivers the training, compensation, and benefits to build a career.

Our full-time caregivers are scheduled for 40 hours a week, but they can choose to pick up extra shifts too, if they want. A First Name Basis has many clients who require 24/7 care, so we also have night shifts available. If your schedule is flexible, it’s easy to pick up extra shifts using our secure mobile app.

In most cases, yes. In some instances, it might be possible to use public transportation to get to a client’s house.

Some clients have transportation needs. When that has been coordinated in advance, caregivers might drive clients to the grocery store, a doctor’s appointment, or the city park on a nice day. To drive for clients, you will need a valid driver’s license, an up-to-date state car registration, and personal auto insurance (minimum state-required liability coverage or greater). A First Name Basis also provides non-owned auto insurance coverage, which gives our caregivers and clients a second layer of protection.

We offer caregivers market-leading hourly pay, based on their experience, skill set, and qualifications (such as certified nursing assistants or licensed vocational nurses). We also offer incentive pay. You can get paid twice a month or you can use DailyPay to get paid daily, if you prefer.

Our full-time employees are eligible for health and dental insurance after working for us for just six months. We also offer full-time caregivers access to a 401(k) retirement plan, with an employer contribution based on what you put in.

We want to hear from you! Caregiving with A First Name Basis can be a rewarding career path. Apply online now or call our Caregiver Career Hotline at 800-557-5525.