Right at Home in Compliance with California’s New Stricter Requirements for Home Care Agencies Effective January 1, 2016

Leading in-home care agency ready for new legislation, conforms with statewide standards

CALIFORNIA — The New Year is bringing new standards to the home care industry for operators in California. On January 1, 2016, California adopted stricter requirements for home care aides and their employing agencies, including background checks, mandatory training hours and licensing. The law is designed to protect vulnerable clients by requiring registration, screening, training and insurance for all home care aides employed by an agency. Right at Home, a leading senior care franchise, is well-equipped and prepared to remain one of the most trusted sources for home care in the state in light of this change.

Originally passed and signed into law in 2013, the Home Care Services Consumer Protection Act is designed to help provide safety to the elderly and disabled individuals who contract with a home care business like Right at Home to provide trained caregivers in their homes. At the start of the New Year, home care organizations must be licensed, and all of their caregiving employees need to be registered with the Department of Social Services and pass a criminal background check. Elderly and disabled clients, or their families, would then be able to check with the state’s database to ensure that these caregivers have been properly registered. Organizations not in compliance with the new law could face hefty fines.

According to the bill’s sponsor, former Assemblywoman Bonnie Lowenthal, thousands of privately funded home care organizations operate in California with nothing more than a business license.

With almost 40 locations in California serving over 1,600 clients, Right at Home supports licensing of home care organizations as it can provide valuable protection for Californians who need to employ a caregiver at home. 

“There’s no question that there are pros to this decision. People will be more careful about whom they hire,” said Amy Stanosheck, Director of Franchise Standards at Right at Home. “It’s important for clients and their loved ones to remember to only use home care agencies like Right at Home that are licensed through the state, as only their caregivers are required to undergo a Department of Social Services background check, complete state-mandated training and pass tuberculosis testing. In addition, using a state-licensed home care agency is best because only those organizations are required to provide caregiver liability insurance. The new law does not require independent caregivers who are not employed by a home care organization to meet these standards,” Stanosheck said. “Right at Home is proud to be in compliance with these new regulations. We have always been a trusted source for home care, and we look forward to continuing to hold that reputation.”

ABOUT RIGHT AT HOME:

Founded in 1995, Right at Home offers in-home companionship and personal care and assistance to seniors and disabled adults who want to continue to live independently. Local Right at Home offices are independently owned and operated and directly employ and supervise all caregiving staff, each of whom is thoroughly screened, trained, and bonded/insured prior to entering a client’s home. Right at Home’s global office is based in Omaha, Nebraska, with more than 500 franchise locations in the U.S. and seven other countries. For more information on Right at Home, visit About Right at Home at http://www.rightathome.net/about-us or read the Right at Home caregiving blog at http://www.rightathome.net/blog. To learn more about franchise opportunities with Right at Home, visit http://www.rightathomefranchise.com.