At BrightStar of Minneapolis Southwest, each day we we strive to provide your loved one with the kind of care we would want for our own families.

From adult and elder care to a range of childcare and medical staffing services, we’ve identified some of the most frequently asked questions – and answers – to guide you in the right direction.

These FAQs won’t likely cover everything, but don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Call us at 952-236-3965 to let us know how we can help if you still have questions we haven’t answered below.

Q: How do I get started?

A: The best way to see how we may best be of service is to schedule a free, no-obligation in-home Living Room Visit. Our Director of Nursing will meet with the care receiver in their home to assess their needs and create a plan of care.

This is a non-threatening visit that does not obligate you in any way. During the visit, we’ll help you evaluate things you can do to help ease the situation that won’t interfere with your current lifestyle, yet ensure that everyone’s needs are met.

(Please note: If you are not yet ready for us to meet with the person receiving the care, we can meet with family members initially and then meet with the client later on prior to start of care.)

We can arrange for services ranging from a couple of hours (no minimum) a week to around-the-clock care. No need is too great or small. We ensure caregiver-client compatibility as part of our “Guaranteed Compatibility” program. Home care services can usually begin almost immediately.

Q: How do you select your caregivers?

A: Each and every one of our caregivers are rigorously screened. All interviews are conducted in person. We then thoroughly check their references, conduct a criminal background check as well as a drug screen test. Each staff member that works with us, from home health aides to nurses, are bonded and insured.

We require every one of our caregivers to have at least one year of experience and the majority of our caregivers have advanced training. To ensure compatibility, we carefully match caregivers to you and your loved one based on the skills needed and personality traits necessary for a good relationship.

Q: Are your services available for the elderly in assisted living facilities or nursing homes?

A: Yes, we provide healthcare staffing services wherever clients reside.

Q: What makes BrightStar different from other companies?

A: There are several major differences you’ll find BrightStar that you won’t with other providers.

• Custom-tailored services: We provide care that revolves around you, our client. The services we provide are custom tailored to each client’s individual needs.
• Around-the-Clock-Service: Our team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to provide service whenever and wherever it is needed.
• No contract: Our service agreement does not obligate you to any length of time and you can add or remove services as needed.
• No time commitment: The unmatched quality of our services speaks for itself, but if you are unsatisfied just let us know and you can cancel at any time.

Q: What happens if my caregiver is sick?

A: We’ve got that covered too. We employ a team approach. If one home health aide, nurse, or caregiver is sick, another is regularly available to step in at any time.

Q: Who pays the caregiver – me or you?

A: At BrightStar, we strive to make the lives easier not only our care receivers, but also for their families. That’s why we take care of all the payroll, taxes, insurance and administrative responsibilities for you. We will even bill your long-term care insurance company for you.

Q: Can I change the schedule if I have appointments?

A: Yes, schedule changes are easily accommodated. Our clients’ needs always come first.

Q: Do I have to sign a contract to keep services for a specified period of time?

A: Absolutely not. At BrightStar, we put your needs first. We understand that due to changing circumstances, you may need to increase or decrease services as needed. Whether you need us for just one hour or a full 24 hours, our answer is, “Yes we can!” Unlike nursing homes or assisted living facilities, health care services can be cancelled at any time. Other companies in this industry enforce minimums to meet their requirements. At BrightStar, we only want to meet your requirements.

Q: Why should I use BrightStar rather than hire someone out of the newspaper myself?

A: There are many reasons why BrightStar is the premier choice for high quality home care, but we’ll list just a few here. All of our caregivers are screened, trained, bonded and insured. Our caregivers also undergo Bloodborne Pathogen and HIPAA training. Also, we test all of our medical personnel to assess their skills. We need to make sure our certified home health aides, nurse aides, or companions are the best in the business.

Also, it’s important your family is aware that almost every Homeowner’s insurance policy specifically excludes anyone working within your home. If the person you hired became injured while working in your home, you would become personally responsible for all of their medical bills. This is a huge risk that could leave your family very vulnerable to extensive financial burdens. Looking at the big picture, this is a risky option considering you could lose everything you’ve worked so hard to achieve.

At BrightStar, all of our employees are insured and bonded so you can have peace of mind knowing that if something unforeseen were to happen to your caregiver, they are completely covered by insurance. Our skilled staff of quality caregivers ensures a compatible, reliable caregiver to provide the best care for seniors, newborns, children, for you, your family member or friend. After all, we’re here for you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

Q: Are services covered by Medicare or insurance?

A: Medicare does not pay for this type of care. Many long-term care policies will however reimburse for these kinds of services. We are happy to work with your insurance company to make that determination. We will also assist you by billing the insurance company directly.

Q: What if service must be changed?

A: No problem at all. We are very flexible and understand that situations can change quickly. Our main concern is your well being and we will meet your needs as necessary.

Q: How much do the services cost?

A: We offer several levels of care, but because our services are custom-tailored to your unique set of needs, costs are determined based on each client’s needs. We suggest you request a free in-home Living Room Visit so our Director of Nursing can work with you to evaluate your needs and assess your situation. We will then be more than happy to provide you a quote on the price of services.

Q: Who can best be helped by BrightStar?

A: BrightStar services are perfect for anyone who needs supportive services in order to remain in their home. What makes us unique is that if a client’s needs change, we are ready and willing to accommodate those needs as necessary.

Examples of clients who use our services are those who have diminished eyesight or hearing, arthritis, COPD, those recovering from severe medical problems such as cancer or heart disease, or those who are dealing with memory loss, Alzheimer’s and dementia. Many of our clients have a number of conditions which make the everyday activities of life difficult to manage on their own.

Unlike other companies in this industry who offer similar services, BrightStar also provides healthcare staffing services to corporate clients such as hospitals, assisted living facilities and nursing homes. As a result, we’re able to offer superior benefits to our employees, thereby attracting the best and brightest professional nurses, home health aides, nurse aides, and any other allied health professionals. Additionally, this gives us a much larger base of health professionals to draw from.

For example, because we recruit phlebotomists for various labs, we are able to offer in-home blood draws. We are also able to have nurses perform medication set-ups, and even have nurses perform around-the-clock care depending on the need. While most of our clients do not require around-the-clock nursing care, it is a benefit that we are able to offer because we have a large pool of professionals to draw from. It’s just another way we’re making more possible each and every day.

Q: Are your services only for seniors?

A: No, we also provide services to new mothers, individuals with disabilities, victims of accidents, people recovering from a recent illness or surgery, and anyone who needs a little help getting around the house. Our care professionals specialize in providing a full range of care, from peer-level companionship and hospital sitting services to high-tech pediatric and quadriplegic care. Anytime, any place.

No, we also provide services to individuals with disabilities, new mothers, victims of accidents, people recovering from a recent illness or surgery, and anyone who needs a little help getting around the house. Our health care professionals specialize in providing clients with a full range of care from companionship, meal preparation or hospital sitting services to high-tech pediatric and quadriplegic care any time, any place.

Have a question we didn’t answer?

Please call us at 952-236-3965 and we’ll be happy to answer any questions you have.

BrightStar South West Minneapolis and West Metro
4601 Excelsior Boulevard
Suite 403
Saint Louis Park, MN 55416
Phone: (952) 236-3965
Fax: (952) 236-3963