Philadelphia Home Care Questions Answered Honestly
Choosing home care for a loved one involves important decisions. This page answers the questions Philadelphia families ask most about services, costs, Medicaid eligibility, caregiver screening, and how to get started with Gaia Touch Home Care.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything You Need to Know About Non-Medical Home Care in Philadelphia
Browse questions by category below. Click any question to read the full answer. Can’t find what you’re looking for? Contact our care team directly.
Services We Provide
What non-medical home care services does Gaia Touch provide?
Gaia Touch Home Care provides a comprehensive range of non-medical in-home care services designed to support daily living, safety, and independence. Our services include:
- Personal care: bathing, dressing, grooming, and hygiene assistance
- Companion care: conversation, social engagement, and emotional support
- Meal preparation: nutritious meal planning and cooking
- Light housekeeping: laundry, dishes, tidying, and basic home tasks
- Medication reminders: ensuring medications are taken on schedule (non-administered)
- Mobility assistance: safe movement, transfers, and fall prevention
- Respite care: temporary relief for family caregivers
- Transportation assistance: accompaniment to appointments and errands
What is the difference between non-medical home care and home health care?
Non-medical home care provides assistance with daily living activities such as bathing, dressing, meal preparation, companionship, and housekeeping without requiring a physician’s order or medical training. It is the right choice for seniors and adults who need help at home but do not require clinical intervention.
Home health care involves skilled medical services such as nursing, wound care, physical therapy, or occupational therapy, typically prescribed by a physician and often covered by Medicare.
Gaia Touch Home Care specializes exclusively in non-medical home care. If you need skilled nursing or medical services, we can help guide you toward the appropriate resources.
Does Gaia Touch provide medical or nursing services?
No. Gaia Touch Home Care provides non-medical home care only. We do not offer skilled nursing, wound care, medical treatments, IV therapy, or physical/occupational therapy. All our services focus on assisting with daily living activities, personal care, companionship, and household support.
Who does Gaia Touch Home Care serve?
Gaia Touch Home Care serves seniors and adults with disabilities in Philadelphia, PA who need assistance with daily activities and wish to remain safely and independently in their own homes. We also provide respite care for family caregivers who need temporary relief.
Getting Started with Home Care
How do I get started with home care at Gaia Touch?
Getting started is simple and free. Here is what to expect:
- Step 1: Call us at (215) 509-1222 or submit a care request online
- Step 2: We schedule a free in-home assessment at your convenience
- Step 3: We develop a personalized care plan based on your loved one’s needs, preferences, and routines
- Step 4: We carefully match your loved one with a compatible caregiver
- Step 5: Care begins — often within 24 to 48 hours
No obligation, no pressure.
The initial consultation and care assessment are completely free. You decide if Gaia Touch is the right fit.
How quickly can home care begin after I contact Gaia Touch?
In most cases, care can begin within 24 to 48 hours of completing your free in-home assessment and confirming your personalized care plan. If you have an urgent need, please call us directly at (215) 509-1222 and we will work to accommodate your timeline as quickly as possible.
What areas in and around Philadelphia does Gaia Touch serve?
Gaia Touch Home Care is based at 2600 E Allegheny Ave, 1st Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19134 and primarily serves Philadelphia and surrounding communities. Call us at (215) 509-1222 to confirm whether we currently serve your specific neighborhood or ZIP code.
Caregivers, Screening & Safety
Are Gaia Touch caregivers background-checked and screened?
Yes, absolutely. Every Gaia Touch caregiver undergoes a thorough multi-step screening process before being placed with any client. This includes:
- Criminal background check
- Reference verification
- Values-based interview, we assess compassion, integrity, and reliability
- Ongoing performance review throughout the care relationship
We only place caregivers we would trust with our own family members. Your loved one’s safety and dignity are our highest priority.
How does Gaia Touch match a caregiver to my loved one?
After your free in-home assessment, we carefully select a caregiver whose experience, personality, and values align with your loved one’s needs and preferences. We consider factors such as:
- The client’s care needs and daily routine
- Personality compatibility and communication style
- Scheduling requirements and preferences
- Any specific skills or experience the client’s situation may require
Our goal is to build a trusting, comfortable care relationship from day one.
What happens if my regular caregiver is unavailable?
We understand how important consistency is to your loved one’s comfort. If your regular caregiver is unavailable due to illness or an emergency, we will work promptly to arrange a qualified substitute caregiver. We communicate any scheduling changes to families as early as possible so care is never disrupted without notice. Please call us at (215) 509-1222 if you have a scheduling concern.
Cost, Payment & Medicaid in Philadelphia
How much does non-medical home care cost in Philadelphia?
The cost of non-medical home care in Philadelphia varies based on the type of services, hours of care per week, and individual needs. Private-pay rates in Philadelphia typically range from $25 to $36 per hour for personal and companion care services.
Gaia Touch provides transparent, upfront pricing, all costs are reviewed with you during your free in-home consultation with no hidden fees. The final cost will depend on your personalized care plan.
Does Medicaid cover non-medical home care in Pennsylvania?
Regular Medicaid (fee-for-service) does not cover non-medical home care in Pennsylvania. However, Pennsylvania’s Community HealthChoices (CHC) Medicaid waiver program may cover personal assistance and companion care services for eligible seniors and adults with disabilities.
To qualify for CHC, a person generally must:
- Be a Pennsylvania Medicaid recipient
- Be 21 years of age or older
- Demonstrate a need for a nursing-facility level of care
- Meet financial eligibility requirements
Does long-term care insurance cover home care services?
Gaia Touch Home Care currently accepts private pay and long-term care insurance. We provide clear, itemized billing and transparent pricing reviewed during your free consultation. As we expand our payer network, we will update this page. Please call us at (215) 509-1222 to discuss your specific payment situation.
Are there payment options available for home care at Gaia Touch?
Gaia Touch Home Care serves seniors and adults with disabilities in Philadelphia, PA who need assistance with daily activities and wish to remain safely and independently in their own homes. We also provide respite care for family caregivers who need temporary relief.
Scheduling, Hours & Service Coverage
Can Gaia Touch provide both short-term and long-term home care?
Yes. Gaia Touch offers flexible care arrangements for both short-term and long-term needs. Whether your loved one needs help during post-surgery recovery, temporary respite care while you travel, or ongoing daily assistance, we will build a care plan that fits. There are no rigid minimum contracts — care is structured around your actual needs.
Does Gaia Touch offer overnight or 24-hour home care?
Overnight and extended-hour care options may be available depending on client needs and caregiver availability. Please contact us at (215) 509-1222 to discuss your specific overnight or 24-hour care requirements so we can confirm whether we can accommodate them in your area.
Can the number of care hours be increased or decreased over time?
Absolutely. One of the core advantages of non-medical home care is flexibility. As your loved one’s needs change — due to health improvements, recovery, or increased care requirements — we can adjust the schedule and care plan accordingly. We conduct regular check-ins with families to ensure the level of care remains the right fit.
Care Plans & Personalized Service
Does Gaia Touch create a personalized care plan for every client?
Yes — every Gaia Touch client receives a fully individualized care plan. There are no one-size-fits-all templates. After your free in-home assessment, we develop a detailed plan that reflects your loved one’s:
Specific care needs and health considerations
Daily routines and personal preferences
Short-term and long-term goals for independence
Family involvement and communication preferences
Care plans are reviewed regularly and updated as needs evolve over time.
How does Gaia Touch keep families informed about their loved one's care?
Open, honest communication with families is one of our core commitments at Gaia Touch. We maintain regular contact throughout the care journey, provide updates on your loved one’s well-being, and promptly notify families of any concerns or changes in condition. You are always a phone call away from our care team — call us at (215) 509-1222 anytime with questions.
How do I contact Gaia Touch Home Care?
You can reach us in any of the following ways:
- Phone: (215) 509-1222
- Email: contact@gaiatouchhomecarepa.com
- Online: Submit a care request on our website
- In person: 2600 E Allegheny Ave, 1st Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19134
Our care team is available to answer your questions and help you determine the best next step for your loved one.
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Learn More About Gaia Touch Home Care
Get more detailed information about our services, our team, and how we care for Philadelphia families.
