Choosing home care can bring many questions. You may be wondering what services are available, how caregivers are chosen, how much care costs or how the process begins. Below are answers to common questions about Ease in the Home and our non-medical home-care services. If you do not see your question, contact our local team. We will listen and help you understand your options.
Ease in the Home is an owner-led home-care company. We provide personal, non-medical support in the client’s home.
The company was founded in 2017 by Chris Breneman after his family’s experience with his mother’s Alzheimer’s journey and memory care.
We serve Barrington and nearby Northwest Chicagoland communities in Illinois.
We also serve Bonsall and communities across North San Diego County, California.
Service depends on the client’s address, care needs, schedule and caregiver availability.
Yes. Ease in the Home operates under Illinois Department of Public Health license #3001621.
Concierge home care means the service is built around the person rather than a standard package.
We take time to learn about the client, create a personal care plan and find a caregiver who may be a good fit.
Families also have access to local leaders who understand their care plan.
Non-medical home care helps a person with daily life at home.
It may include companionship, personal care, meals, errands, household tasks, movement and general support.
It does not include medical diagnosis or skilled treatment.
Depending on the care plan, a caregiver may help with bathing, dressing, grooming, meal preparation, light housekeeping, laundry, errands and appointments.
Caregivers may also provide companionship, medication reminders and support with safe movement.
Caregivers may provide medication reminders when this is included in the care plan.
They do not prescribe medication, change a dose or replace a nurse or pharmacist.
No. Ease in the Home provides non-medical home care.
Our caregivers and CNAs do not replace doctors, nurses, therapists or other medical providers.
We may be able to help with non-medical tasks after a client returns home.
This could include meals, personal care, movement, household tasks and help following the client’s normal routine.
Any medical or therapy needs must be handled by the right licensed provider.
Yes. We provide non-medical support for people living with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.
Our leadership includes three Certified Dementia Practitioners. This knowledge helps guide care planning and caregiver matching.
No. Our team includes both professional caregivers and Certified Nursing Assistants.
The right type of caregiver depends on the client’s needs and the tasks in the care plan.
A caregiver may help with companionship, personal routines, meals, errands and household tasks.
A CNA has completed additional training and testing. A CNA may have more experience with personal care, safe movement and activities of daily living.
A CNA working in non-medical home care does not replace a nurse or provide medical treatment.
We use the background checks and registry checks required for the caregiver’s role and state.
In Illinois, covered direct-care workers must meet Health Care Worker Registry and fingerprint-based background-check rules.
California has its own Home Care Aide Registry and criminal record check process for covered home care aides.
Caregivers must meet the training rules that apply to their role and state.
Illinois home-services workers must complete at least ten hours of starting training. They must also complete skills checks and required yearly training.
CNAs must meet added training, testing and registry rules.
We consider the client’s needs, daily routine, personality, interests and schedule.
We then compare these details with the caregiver’s skills, experience, personality and availability.
A good match should support both the care plan and the client’s comfort.
Yes. Families should speak with us if a caregiver does not feel like the right match.
Our local team can review the situation and discuss other options. Any new match will depend on the client’s needs and caregiver availability.
We work toward steady and comfortable caregiver relationships.
However, the same caregiver may not always be available because of illness, time off, schedule changes or other needs. Our team can discuss available options when a change is needed.
The first step is a conversation with our team.
Tell us about the client, their daily routine, the kind of help they may need and when you would like care to begin.
We will ask questions and explain the next steps.
No. Many families are unsure when they first contact us.
We can help you think about the client’s routine, safety, personal care needs and current support before suggesting a schedule.
We learn about the client’s needs, home, schedule, personality and daily routine.
We also discuss the tasks that may need support and any concerns the family wants us to understand.
This information helps us build the care plan and look for the right caregiver.
The timing depends on the client’s needs, location, requested schedule and caregiver availability.
After learning about the case, our team can explain the next steps and possible start time.
Yes. With the client’s permission, family members can share information, ask questions and take part in planning.
Yes. Care needs may change over time.
Contact our team if the client needs more help, less help or a different schedule. We can review the plan and discuss the available choices.
Yes. Hourly care may be used when a client needs help during set times or on selected days.
The available schedule will depend on the care plan and caregiver availability.
Yes. Live-in care may be considered when a client needs support through much of the day and night.
The exact schedule, rest periods, duties and price should be explained in the written care plan.
Not always.
Live-in care may include agreed rest or sleep periods. Around-the-clock awake care may require more than one caregiver working in shifts.
Our team will explain which type of arrangement is being offered.
A caregiver may be able to help both people when it is safe and fits the care plan.
We review the needs of each person before suggesting a schedule and price.
Our standard hourly rate usually ranges from $36 to $42 per hour.
The final rate depends on the needs of the case, schedule and type of support required.
Live-in care usually ranges from $500 to $600.
The written quote will explain the billing period, schedule and services covered by that rate.
One client may need companionship and meals. Another may need more help with personal care and movement.
The number of hours, type of support and number of people receiving care may all affect the price.
The rate may increase when a caregiver is supporting two people.
We review the needs of both clients before giving a couples-care quote.
A major change in the schedule, care tasks or number of people receiving care may change the cost.
We will discuss the updated care plan and price with the family.
Some long-term care insurance plans may help with non-medical home care.
Coverage depends on the individual policy. Contact the insurance company to ask what services, records and approvals are required.
A Certified Dementia Practitioner has completed added education about Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.
Chris Breneman is a Certified Dementia Practitioner, CDP #252621. Brad Grubaugh and Diane Robertson are also Certified Dementia Practitioners.
We look for a caregiver whose experience, personality and communication style fit the client.
A calm approach, patience and respect for familiar routines may be very important for someone living with dementia.
A caregiver may provide supervision and support based on the care plan, but no home-care service can remove every risk.
Families should speak with healthcare providers and the care team about wandering, home safety and emergency planning.
No. Ease in the Home is not an emergency medical service.
Call 911 if someone is in immediate danger or needs urgent medical help.
For a medical emergency, call 911. For a non-emergency change, contact the appropriate healthcare provider and tell our local team. We can review whether the non-medical care plan also needs to change.
Contact the local Ease in the Home team as soon as possible.
We will listen, review the situation and discuss the next step.
Every family’s situation is different. Tell us about the client, their daily routine and the kind of support you are considering. We will answer your questions and help you understand the available choices.
Ease in the Home provides compassionate, personalized in-home care to help seniors and adults live safely, comfortably, and independently.
Barrington, IL: Chris Breneman / 773.551.7164
San Diego, CA: Brad Grubaugh / 760.470.8200
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