Comfort Keepers Review
Established in 1996, Comfort Keepers pairs uplifting care services with meaningful engagement and companionship that many seniors need to thrive in their golden years. The company’s mission is to elevate the spirits of clients through interactive caregiving, empowering seniors to live a fulfilling life in the home they love. Comfort Keepers runs on a franchise model, with more than 700 independently-operated locations in 13 countries worldwide.
Comfort Keepers offers a variety of personal and companion care services that may include help with grooming, making meals, shopping, and transportation. Respite services are available to assist family caregivers, which can help prevent burnout and fatigue. Staff is trained to meet the unique needs of seniors with cognitive conditions, including dementia and Alzheimer’s. Skilled nursing services are offered in many locations.
For two years in a row, Comfort Keepers has rated higher for customer satisfaction than any other home care agency in Newsweek’s America’s Best Customer Service survey. Clients agree that the company is an invaluable ally that enables them to live safely and independently at home.
What You Should Know About Comfort Keepers
- Established in 1996
- More than 700 locations in 13 countries around the world
- Provides personal care, family caregiver respite, memory care, skilled nursing services, end-of-life care and hospice assistance
- Known for its warm and friendly caregivers who get to know each senior on a personal level
- Employs bonded and insured caregivers covered by workers’ compensation
- A top-rated home care agency in Newsweek’s America’s Best Customer Service survey
What Senior Care Services Does Comfort Keepers Provide?
Personal and Companionship Care Services
Comfort Keepers’ interactive care model focuses on four interrelated aspects: nutrition, safety, body, and mind. The company’s caregivers are trained to meet these needs in the most compassionate and empathetic manner possible. Some of the personal care services offered at Comfort Keepers include:
- Mobility assistance, including help changing positions or getting into and out of bed
- Help with grooming, bathing, and getting dressed
- Meal planning, cooking, and cleanup
- Toileting needs, incontinence care, and safety in the bathroom
- Assistance with doctor-prescribed exercise and nutrition programs
- Light housekeeping
- Transportation
- Shopping and errands
- Medication reminders
- Social engagement and accompaniment for hobbies and activities
Care may be provided on a stand-by basis or full-time, depending on the client’s needs. Seniors who don’t require 24-hour assistance may choose to supplement their care with a SafetyChoice Personal Emergency Response System. With a PERS, seniors can call for help during an emergency with the push of a button. PERS can be linked to a landline phone or mobile network; a GPS tracker model is also available for active seniors.
Comfort Keepers can help seniors prevent loneliness and isolation with GrandPad, a tablet that’s designed with older adults in mind. Using GrandPad, seniors can easily email friends, call family for a video chat, listen to music, play games, and access the internet. No computer experience is necessary to use GrandPad.
Private Duty Nursing and Post-Hospital Care
Unlike regular in-home care, private duty nursing provides a variety of one-on-one medical services for seniors at home. Services are performed by a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse and may include:
- Wellness checks and general health assessments
- Catheter and ostomy maintenance
- Care of wounds and skin conditions
- Injectable or non-injectable medication administration
- Bowel care
- Filling insulin syringes
- Tube feeding and oral cavity suctioning
Comfort Keepers also offers support for seniors returning home after a stay at a hospital or rehab center. Services are provided by caregivers trained in infectious disease prevention who can help reduce the chance of reinjury or hospital readmission.
Comfort Keepers caregivers can help in the following areas:
- Prescription pick up and medication reminders
- Transportation from the hospital and to doctor’s appointments
- Physical and speech therapy support
- Personal hygiene
- Condition monitoring and communication with client’s medical providers
- Light housekeeping
- Companionship and encouragement in recovery
- Respite for family caregivers
Skilled nursing services are only available from Comfort Keepers locations with an RN or LPN on staff. Clients who require these services should contact their local Comfort Keepers to verify availability.
Memory Care
Seniors living with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia have many unique needs that Comfort Keepers can help meet. Caregivers are specially trained to understand and react to the symptoms of memory disease, provide emotional support, and ensure the safety of clients in their homes.
Memory care plans are tailored to each individual’s needs and can include:
- Personal care and companionship
- Engaging, mentally stimulating activities designed to improve emotional well-being
- Installation of home safety technologies, including a medical alert system and motion detector
- Exercise and nutrition support
- Supervision for seniors who sleepwalk or wander
- Referrals to support groups, resources, and medical professionals for family members
Care can be provided during the daytime, overnight, or around the clock depending on client needs.
End-of-Life Support
Seniors who are terminally ill may prefer to spend their last days in the safety and familiarity of home. Comfort Keepers caregivers are available to provide a number of end-of-life and hospice assistance services, including:
- Help with daily living activities
- Meal preparation
- Toileting and bathing
- Housekeeping
- Consolidation and organization of belongings
- Communication with hospice and other medical professionals
- Emotional support and respite for family members
What People Are Saying About Comfort Keepers
According to customers, Comfort Keepers caregivers are friendly, knowledgeable, and care about their well-being on a personal level. One client remarked, “Comfort Keepers provided excellent services. They were always prompt and a replacement was arranged if someone could not come. The caregivers were respectful of my security and privacy and were always well-trained. I felt appreciated and well taken care of.” Another customer added, “The services rendered have been exceptional – they pay attention to all my needs with an intuitive understanding of each situation.”
Family members appreciate the level of care and compassion Comfort Keepers offers their loved ones. As one said, “We could always count on Comfort Keepers to be there on time and to do whatever Mom asked them to do cheerfully and efficiently. Everyone was wonderful to work with, including the office staff.” Another noted, “Comfort Keepers made my life easier because I didn’t have to worry about my father being alone every night. His life was easier because he slept better and was happier knowing someone was there if he fell.”
How Much Does Comfort Keepers Charge for Home Care?
Home care costs vary based on several factors, including the type of services required, how often one needs assistance, and the timing of the services (i.e., overnight vs. daytime care). Where you live also has a significant impact on the cost of home care, as national chains scale their local prices to the cost of living in a given area.
When planning for home care costs, keep in mind that the national average cost is about $24 per hour, though prices in your location may be higher or lower. You can contact a Family Advisor at (800) 973-1540 to learn more about home care costs and payment options in your area.
Who Should Consider Comfort Keepers?
Seniors looking for help around the home from friendly, supportive caregivers can’t go wrong by choosing Comfort Keepers. It’s a particularly good choice for those who need:
- Personal care. As they age, many seniors find it difficult to perform daily tasks, such as cleaning the house and preparing meals. Comfort Keepers handles all the details, enabling older adults to stay at home instead of an assisted living center.
- Companionship. Seniors who live alone are at risk of loneliness, boredom, and depression. At Comfort Keepers, caregivers focus on building satisfying personal relationships with each client, which can help improve mood and mental engagement.
- Home health care. With the help of a skilled nurse from Comfort Keepers, seniors can receive the medical care they need in a soothing and familiar environment. Family members can rest assured that their loved one is taken care of even when they can’t be there to help.
- Respite services. Taking care of a loved one can be challenging and exhausting. Comfort Keepers can step in and provide family caregivers with a much-needed break.
How to Get Started with Comfort Keepers
Contact a Family Advisor at (800) 973-1540 for more information about Comfort Keepers’ offerings in your area and to connect with a local home care provider. Our knowledgeable Family Advisors can provide one-on-one guidance to help you find the best home care service for your needs and budget, all at no cost to you. No matter where you are in the process of choosing a home care provider, a Family Advisor can help.