FAQs

Q: What geographic areas do you service?
A: Visiting Angels® of Newburyport serves Essex County MA,and Rockingham County NH, the Merrimack Valley and Seacoast NH. Local communities in MA include Amesbury, Andover, Boxford, Byfield, Essex, Georgetown, Groveland, Haverhill, Ipswich, Lynnfield, Merrimac, Methuen, Newbury, Newburyport, North Andover, Plum Island, Reading, Rowley, Salisbury, West Newbury and Our local communities in NH include Hampton , Hampton Falls, Newton, North Hampton, Plaistow, Portsmouth, Rye, Seabrook, South Hampton.

Q: How long have you been in business?
A: Visiting Angels® of Newburyport open their office in October 2004.

Q: Are your caregivers CNA’s?
A: Many of our caregivers are CNA's (Certified Nursing Assistants) and LNA (Licensed Nursing Assistants) or have other credentials (CHHA-Certified Home Health Aide or PCA Personal Care Assistant.) However, we feel that it is even more important that all of our caregivers be experienced. Many other agencies will “train” caregivers by showing them videos; we require that every one of our Visiting Angels caregivers have at least 2 years of local verifiable experience, and excellent references.

Q: How does Visiting Angels® select our employee – caregivers (Angels)?
A: Visiting Angels® employees go through an extensive selection process which includes; telephone screening, application, an interview, verified professional and personal references; character, personality and reliability assessment, and criminal background checks including driving records.
We also work in with the Massachusetts Nurse Aide Registry to verify whether that person has been reported for abuse, neglect or exploitation and whether a Certified Nurse’s Aide has a valid certification and is employable.
If all the prior checks are positive, the final critical step is whether we feel that the potential caregiver has the character, experience, skills, personality and compassion to be an Angel. At Visiting Angels®, character matters.

Q: Are your employees insured and bonded?
A: Visiting Angels® employees are insured and bonded.

Q: Will I get to meet the caregiver first?
A: Yes! We feel that it is absolutely essential that your caregiver be someone that you feel completely comfortable with. We will introduce you to a caregiver whose skills and personality we feel would be a good fit, and give you the opportunity to select your caregiver after a personal interview.

Q: Do I pay the caregiver?
A: No. Payment is made to Visiting Angels®. We are an employee based corporation and are responsible for all employee payroll including state, federal and social security taxes and Worker’s Compensation.

Q: Are you licensed?
A: Visiting Angels® is licensed by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Division of Occupational Safety ((DOS) License #7212 and the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, License#03223.

Q: What are the minimum hours of service your agency will provide?
A: Visiting Angels® provides a minimum of three hours per visit.

Q: What if I need specific service requirements that are out of the ordinary.
A: At Visiting Angels®, we listen to your needs. We customize the care plan to meet your needs, whether it be for respite (as needed), regular daily/weekly schedule, overnight/day shifts or 24 hour care. We provide services wherever you need them, including private residences, nursing homes, hospitals, assisted living, etc.

Q: What are your hourly rates?
A: Please call the office at (978) 462-6162. Rates vary for hourly or live-in service. Visiting Angels® offers custom care plans that cover a full range of companion and personal assistance services to fit your needs.

Q: Do you accept Medicare and Medicaid or Health Insurance?
A: No.not in Massachusetts, in New Hampshire we are a HCBC New Hampshire Medicare Provider.

Q: Do you accept Long Term Care Insurance?
A: We coordinate the preparation of your care plan with your physician and provide you with the necessary paperwork to initiate the approval process by your Long Term Care Insurance Company for Home Care, provided that your policy accepts Licensed Non-Medical Home Care Agencies. Sometimes, policies are difficult to interpret by the owners of the policies and that is where we have expertise to help you. You pay us, then the LTC Policy pays you.

Q: I am interested in services and products such as personal response systems and other safety items. Do you have them?
A: Visiting Angels® clients and their families are eligible to participate in Family Advantage an exclusive nationwide program entitling you to special offers, services & access to pertinent information you need for the day-to-day life of today’s seniors.

Q: Do your hourly rates change on nights and weekends?
A: Visiting Angels® uses the same rate for days, nights and on weekends.

Q: Do I sign a contract?
A: Visiting Angels® does not use contracts. We use a Client Services Agreement, which details contact information, services desired, and an assessment of your needs.

Q: What is your cancellation policy?
A: Visiting Angels® has a 24-hour cancellation policy. The client needs to call (978) 462-6162 (office) 24 hours in advance of the scheduled shift. The Client Service Agreement and amendments are the governing documents.

Q: Do you have a 4 hour minimum like other agencies?
A: We recognize that some people really do need service everyday, but a 4 hour shift is more than is required. When appropriate, we do everything that we can to schedule shifts of as few as 3 hours.

Q: I only need occasional help, can you provide that?
A: With our ‘Angel Calls’ program we are able to provide one of our on-call caregivers for those who need occasional assistance.

Q: Do I get to select my caregiver?
A: At Visiting Angels®, you interview our caregiver prior to starting service. This is what sets Visiting Angels® apart from other agencies. You are in control, not the other way around.

Q: Do you send the same person each time?
A: Normally, it is the same Angel for regularly scheduled visits.

Q: Does someone from your office come to our home, hospital, rehab, nursing home, wherever, to meet me about the services I need?
A: Visiting Angels® meets you where you are. We collect as much information about your needs over the telephone, prior to making our first appointment. We then meet with you, based on your schedule, to determine exactly what services you feel are required. There is no charge for this assessment.

Q: What happens if my scheduled caregiver can’t show up?
A: Visiting Angels® maintains a registry of highly qualified caregivers. In the event that our
caregiver is not available, due to illness, or any reason, Visiting Angels® makes use of back-up caregivers in order to provide you the service as scheduled. We will call you to ask if you desire another caregiver.

Q: Is the owner of the company involved in the daily operations?
A: Yes. John and Tina Spellman are the owners of Visiting Angels® Newburyport and are involved with the daily operations. They have been members of the community since 1991.