FAQ's

Home care provides non-medical assistance to help individuals remain safe, comfortable, and independent in their own homes. In-home care services include help with personal care (bathing, dressing, toileting, ambulation/walking assistance, incontinence care), meal preparation, medication reminders, transportation, light housekeeping, and companionship. It does not include skilled medical care, such as nursing or therapy.

Home care focuses on non-medical support with daily living activities and companionship. Home health care involves clinical services provided by licensed medical professionals, such as nurses or therapists, and includes things like wound care, injections, and rehabilitation therapy.

Many families contact us when a loved one begins showing signs that daily life is becoming more difficult to manage independently. Common triggers include:

• Difficulty with bathing, dressing, or personal hygiene
• Cognitive decline, memory loss, or early-stage dementia
• Challenges with meal preparation, medication management, or housekeeping
• Increased fall risk or mobility challenges
• Recovering from a hospitalization or surgery
• Social isolation or need for companionship

If you're unsure, a complimentary in-home assessment can help clarify whether in-home care is the right next step.

Since 2010, Familiar Surroundings Home Care has been helping Bay Area families navigate aging and caregiving with confidence. As a family and veteran-owned and operated agency, we provide personalized care plans, carefully matched caregivers, flexible scheduling, and responsive support. Our goal is to help clients maintain their independence and quality of life while remaining in familiar surroundings.

Several things set us apart:

• Registered Nurses on staff who supervise care and can help coordinate with your loved one's medical team
• Sensi 24/7 monitoring technology that provides a safety net between caregiver visits — helping detect early signs of decline, reduce fall risk, and prevent hospitalizations
• Family Portal access (via AxisCare) where families can view caregiver schedules and manage billing online, 24 hours a day
• Caregiver continuity — we match clients and caregivers carefully and strive for consistency at every visit
• No long-term contracts required
• No deposits
• Deep experience with Veterans benefits coordination
• GUIDE-certified respite provider

Yes. Familiar Surroundings has Registered Nurses on staff who provide clinical oversight and supervision of caregivers. While our in-home care services are non-medical, having RN supervision means your loved one's care plan is informed by clinical expertise and can be adjusted as needs change.

Getting started is simple. Contact our office to schedule a complimentary in-home assessment. One of our care coordinators will meet with you and your loved one, discuss care needs and preferences, and develop a personalized care plan tailored to your situation. There is no obligation.

In many cases, care can begin within 24 hours. For urgent situations — such as a hospital discharge, sudden changes in a loved one's condition, or an unexpected gap in care — we work quickly to arrange services as soon as possible.

We work to match clients with caregivers ahead of time based on care needs, personality, schedule, and preferences. Our goal is to create a comfortable and successful caregiver-client relationship from the start.

We offer a wide range of non-medical in-home care services for Bay Area seniors, including:

• Personal care assistance (bathing, grooming, dressing)
• Companion care
• Alzheimer's and dementia care
• Transportation assistance (appointments, errands, social outings)
• Meal preparation
• Medication reminders
• Light housekeeping
• Respite care for family caregivers
• Hospice support
• Post-hospital / post-surgery recovery support
• Veterans care services
• Care management services
• Senior living placement assistance
• GUIDE respite
• Computers for Seniors technology education

We also offer Sensi 24/7 ambient monitoring technology at no cost to enhance safety between caregiver visits.

Yes. Our caregivers are experienced in supporting individuals living with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia, with a focus on safety, structure, and emotional wellbeing. We also have caregivers with specialty memory care training and offer memory care services throughout the Bay Area.

Yes. Our Hospital-to-Home program is designed to support a safe and smooth recovery after hospitalization, surgery, or rehabilitation. Having a caregiver at home can significantly reduce the risk of complications, readmissions, and falls during the recovery period.

Yes. We are proud to serve Veterans and their families. Our team can help navigate Veterans benefits programs that may help cover the cost of in-home care. Contact us to learn more about Veterans care services and eligibility.

Yes. Our caregivers can provide one-on-one support in private homes, independent living communities, assisted living facilities, and memory care settings.

Sensi is a state-of-the-art ambient monitoring technology that we offer as part of our 24/7 care coverage. A small device placed in the home can detect changes in a client's routine or behavior — such as falls, signs of infection, or increased care resistance — and alert our team so we can respond proactively. Sensi is particularly valuable for clients who:

• Live alone or far from family
• Experience cognitive changes
• Have a history of falls
• Want additional peace of mind between caregiver visits

It complements your loved one's personalized care plan rather than replacing in-person caregiver time.

Yes. Familiar Surroundings Home Care is a licensed home care agency, and all caregivers are employees of the agency — not independent contractors. This means they are bonded, insured, and covered by workers' compensation. You are protected from the legal and financial liabilities that come with hiring a caregiver directly.

We strive to provide consistency whenever possible. Continuity helps build trust and allows caregivers to become familiar with each client's preferences, routines, and care needs — which leads to better outcomes and peace of mind for families.

If a caregiver is sick, on vacation, or otherwise unavailable, we work to provide a qualified replacement whenever possible to ensure continuity of care.

We offer flexible scheduling options ranging from a few hours per visit to overnight and full 24-hour care. Care plans are customized based on each client's needs and preferences.

No. We do not require long-term service agreements. You have the flexibility to adjust or discontinue services as your needs change.

Absolutely. As needs change, we can adjust schedules and services to provide the appropriate level of support — whether that means increasing hours, adding specialized services, or stepping back as recovery progresses.

Yes. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to support clients and address urgent care needs. You can also access caregiver schedules and billing information any time through our online Family Portal.

Traditional Medicare generally does not cover ongoing non-medical home care services. Medicare may cover short-term skilled home health services (nursing, therapy) when ordered by a physician, but these are distinct from the personal care and companionship services we provide.

Yes. We regularly work with families who have Long-Term Care Insurance policies and can provide the documentation needed to support reimbursement claims. Our team is experienced in navigating the LTC insurance process and can help make it as smooth as possible.

The cost of in-home senior care depends on the level of assistance needed, the care schedule, and other individual factors. We provide personalized pricing information following your complimentary in-home assessment. Contact us to get started — there's no obligation.

We proudly serve families throughout:

• Santa Clara County — (408) 979-9990
• San Mateo County — (650) 353-9777
• Contra Costa County — (925) 516-4912
• Santa Cruz County — (831) 480-3990
• Alameda County — (510) 292-4010

If you're unsure whether your location is within our service area, please contact us and we'll be happy to help.