What services can we ask the friend to do for my loved one?
Just be a friend, have conversations, provide support, play games, read, have a coffee, share stories, write cards, assist with monitoring and nutrition. Provide feedback to the family.
What is the cost of the referral?
The families can view the website for no charge, but once the family wish to initiate contact with the preferred Dependable Friend, there will be a small introduction fee.
If the friend is unsuitable or circumstances change how do I resolve this? What are the costs involved?
If it becomes clear that the “match” is unsuitable, the family has one other opportunity to select another Dependable Friend, at no cost.
Can I arrange the same service for my loved one in their personal home?
No, we are exclusively involved with Nursing Homes.
How do I pay the friend?
The Friend will provide a summary of days and hours worked using the Dependable Friends website or phone app. You will review and approve the hours worked and payment will transfer from your nominated account to the Friend. There will be a small surcharge for insurance.
What safeguards are there against theft or fraud that may be conducted by the friend?
All of the Dependable Friends are screened, interviewed and cleared for work with residents. There are police checks and other processes to clear. Dependable Friends must provide references. They sign a contract with both the family and Dependable Friends (the company) and must follow business conduct and safety guidelines.
How can I tell from the website that a friend is suitable for my loved one?
There will be a video of the Friend which includes details of their location, interests, available days, times, languages and visiting preferences.
What if I am too busy to select a friend from the website options?
We can select a Friend for your loved one for a small additional fee.
How do I ensure that the friend is located near to the nursing home of choice?
Once you enter the location of the Nursing Home, only those friends that have nominated the relevant travel distance/radius will appear to you.
Can a nursing home directly engage a friend if the resident has no family?
Yes.
What if I want the friend to purchase goods e.g. chocolates/ dry cleaning/ for my loved one?
This most likely will not be part of the initial arrangements, but we anticipate that once the parties are familiar with each other, this can be arranged within certain agreed guidelines.
How am I covered against injury or personal damage to the Friend?
Insurances will be arranged by Dependable Friends (the company).
Do I need to seek permission from the nursing home for the friend to visit?
Courtesy will dictate this to be the case. Also, we anticipate that in most cases the first visit will be an introduction of the Dependable Friend to the family, the Nursing Home and the Resident.
How can I be sure that I have informed the friend of the condition of the resident? Is there a checklist?
There will be an open line of communication between the Family and the Friend so that all parties can be sufficiently informed about matters of health.
Can we claim any government rebate for employment of the friend?
No, not at this stage.
Can we claim the cost of the friend against our private health insurance?
Enquiries have been made, but at this stage there is no rebate.
How can we receive feedback from the friend about the general health and wellbeing of our loved one?
There will be open lines of communication via email, text, the website and the mobile phone app.
What are the legalities of asking the friend to take my loved one on an outing? e.g. doctor’s appointment, coffee shop, theatre, church, restaurant.
Initially, this will not form part of the arrangements, but we anticipate that this will be possible once the parties are familiar with each other and depending upon mobility of the resident.