SENIOR CONCIERGE FAQs
- Who would benefit from Senior Concierge Services? Aging seniors and the families/caregivers of aging seniors.
- Who will be performing these services? At this time it will me, Michele Allen. This means that my calendar of open slots is limited. I require at least 48 hours advanced notice of any schedule changes for in-person visits(understanding that emergencies do happen).
- What are your service hours? At this time in-person services will be scheduled weekdays between 9a-3p. Extended or weekend hours may be able to be arranged with advanced notice. Call me to discuss availability. Senior Check-ins via phone calls are made between 9a-5p. We will discuss your requested time slot at time of starting services. Calls will be made in a one hour window of your requested time slot. For example, a call requested for 10am will be made between 9:30am-10:30am).
- Where are you based and what is your service area for check-in visits or calls? I am based in Queens, New York so in-person Senior Check-in services are available to those that live in Queens, Brooklyn, Nassau County and Western Suffolk County (up to Islip). Visits to other areas of NYC or Eastern Suffolk County (past Islip) can be arranged but will have an additional fee. Please contact me to discuss your specific needs. For Senior Check in services via phone, at this time I offer calls anywhere in the United States.
- Can I cancel at any time? Yes. The Senior Concierge Services are month to month unless you choose to purchase your services advance in 3 months or more blocks to get the 15% discount for advanced payment. Please note if you choose to cancel services mid-month you will not be refunded the monthly fee so please use your time before cancelling.
- Can I change the amount of visits/calls needed for the next month? Yes. I understand life changes and needs change. So for example, this month you needed one call daily to your loved one but she recently had a change in her health so you would like to change to 2 calls daily per month. That is fine and the same goes for if you need less time the next month. Just let me know the month prior to the change so we can send out the correct invoice.
- Can I use your services for only one time if I don't need them monthly? Sure you can, but it is only for the in-person visits. This is beneficial for those that maybe are going away on vacation or have something going on that will require you to focus your attention elsewhere and you need a Senior Check-in visit once or for a short-term period of time. For the Senior Check-in calls, you pay the monthly rate even if it's for only one day that you require the service. Visit here for rates.
- What if my loved one doesn't answer the phone when you call at the time arranged? If they don't answer the phone I will attempt to call them 3 more times over the next 1-2 hours and if there still is no answer I will call and email the contact given to make you aware.
- What if during a call your loved one tells you they aren't feeling well? First I will try to get more details for clarification (at a certain age everything hurts seniors everywhere). If it's a change and something I feel needs addressing I will call and email the contact given to discuss my concerns. If the situation is extreme I will use my nursing judgement and may have to call 911 for your loved one. If I have to call EMS then you will be called right afterwards to be updated.
- Do you provide transportation? Dear 2 My Heart does not provide transportation services at this time.
- Since you're a nurse will you do things like take blood pressure, administer medications, or perform dressing changes? Although I am a Registered Nurse, Dear 2 My Heart offers non-medical services. I do not perform skills or hands-on care. If medical skills are needed there are home care agencies that specialize in offering those services and I can assist you in finding one.
- How are payments made? Invoices will be emailed by the 20th of the month and payments are to be made by the 25th of the month for the following month's services. For example: Invoice is emailed June 20th then payment must be made by June 25th to ensure services will continue in July.
- What forms of payment do you accept? All major credit cards or debit cards are accepted (Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express). An invoice is emailed and will allow for an online payment. A 3% credit card processing fee will be applied. Credit card numbers will not be saved.
- Why would I need Senior Concierge Services? Dear 2 My Heart is here to make life just a little easier for our aging seniors and their families. It gives you valuable time back. It lightens up the load on your to-do list. It's peace of mind especially for those that don't live nearby their loved ones. My nursing eyes and ears are the advantage others don't have. With over 10 years of home care experience and making thousands of visits at this point, I see things differently and can report back any changes if they are noticed.