Frequently Asked Questions

Your questions answered —
so you can focus on what matters.

We know this decision isn't easy. These are the questions families in Savannah ask us most — answered honestly.

★★★★★ 5-Star Rated · Georgia PHCP Licensed · Savannah, GA · (912) 856-1885

The thoughts you haven't
said out loud.

Most families wait too long. Not because they don't care — because asking for help feels like admitting something. It isn't. It's the most protective thing you can do.

  • 01

    "What if I send a stranger into my mother's home and something goes wrong?"

    Every member of our Care Team has been personally vetted, background-checked, and matched to your loved one's specific personality — not just their care needs. And Shannon is present on the first visit. You are not handing your mother to a stranger.

  • 02

    "I don't know how much this costs or whether we can afford it."

    The free 20-minute assessment exists precisely for this. We tell you exactly what care would cost before you make any decision. There are no surprises. Private home care in Savannah runs $29–$30 per hour for most families. [VERIFY]

  • 03

    "My mother will never agree to having someone come in."

    She doesn't have to agree the first time. Most families start with one afternoon a week. We match caregivers to personality first — because the relationship is the foundation of everything that makes this work. Shannon has navigated this conversation hundreds of times.

  • 04

    "How is this different from the other agencies in Savannah?"

    Shannon Stafford Simpson is a Certified Nursing Assistant who built this agency. Not a business operator who hired caregivers — a caregiver who decided the standard wasn't good enough and built something better. No franchise in this market can say that.

10 Questions Families Ask Most

Everything you need
before making the call.

  • Most families wait longer than they should — and then feel guilty about it. That guilt is misplaced. You couldn't have known until you knew.

    Watch for these warning signs:

    • Missed medications or wrong doses
    • Unexplained weight loss
    • Unpaid bills piling up
    • A recent fall or near-miss
    • Social withdrawal or isolation
    • A home that's becoming unsafe — clutter, spoiled food, unwashed dishes
    • Noticeable changes in personal hygiene

    If you're asking this question, trust that instinct. A free consultation costs nothing and gives you clarity — even if the answer is "not yet."

    Call (912) 856-1885 — free 20-min consultation →
  • We provide in-home personal care services, including:

    • Personal care — bathing, grooming, dressing
    • Medication reminders
    • Meal preparation
    • Light housekeeping
    • Transportation and errands
    • Companionship
    • Respite care for family caregivers
    • 24/7 care options for clients who need around-the-clock support

    Not sure which services you need? We'll figure that out together during your free consultation — no obligation to proceed.

  • Home care refers to non-medical support — help with daily living tasks, companionship, and personal hygiene. No physician order required.

    Home health care refers to medical services ordered by a physician — wound care, physical therapy, skilled nursing. These require a clinical prescription and are covered differently by insurance.

    Savannah Personal Care Services provides home care. If your loved one also needs medical services, we can help coordinate referrals to appropriate providers in the Savannah area.

  • Yes. Our Care Team members are trained in memory care techniques including redirection, routine-based scheduling, safe environment practices, and de-escalation.

    We match clients with caregivers who have specific dementia experience and consistent availability — because familiar faces matter deeply. We don't rotate through whoever is available. We protect the relationship.

    Remaining at home in a familiar environment has been shown to slow cognitive decline. That is what we work to protect for as long as possible.

  • Every member of our Care Team undergoes:

    • Criminal background checks
    • Reference verification
    • Skills assessment before placement
    • Ongoing training and evaluation

    Shannon Stafford Simpson — our founder and a Certified Nursing Assistant — is personally present on every supervised first visit. We share a full caregiver profile with the family before day one so there are no surprises.

    You are trusting us with your family member. We take that seriously.

  • In Savannah, home care typically ranges from $20–$35 per hour depending on the level of care, number of hours, and caregiver experience.

    Many families are surprised to find that part-time care — even 10–15 hours a week — is more affordable than they expected. You don't need to make a full-time commitment to get meaningful support.

    Every consultation includes a personalized cost estimate at no charge. We do not believe in surprise pricing, vague ranges, or pressure to commit before you're ready.

    Get a free estimate — call (912) 856-1885 →
  • We can typically match and place a caregiver within 48 hours of your consultation. That's The Shannon Standard — and it's a commitment, not a marketing line.

    For urgent situations — hospital discharge, a sudden change in condition, a family caregiver who can no longer continue — call us directly at (912) 856-1885 and we will do everything possible to accelerate that timeline.

  • Yes. Home care does not require a full-time commitment. Many families start with 4–8 hours per week — one or two afternoons — and adjust as needs change.

    You are in control of the schedule. Care plans are built around your loved one's life, not a rigid agency template. If three hours on Tuesday and Thursday is what makes sense right now, that's where we start.

  • We match based on personality, shared interests, care needs, language preference, and schedule compatibility. The technical requirements matter — but the relationship is what makes care actually work.

    Families can meet the caregiver before care begins. We share a full profile: background, experience, and a brief personal introduction. There are no surprises on day one.

    We don't just fill a shift. We make an introduction — and we stay involved to make sure the relationship is working for both sides.

  • This is one of the most common situations we navigate. Resistance is normal — especially for someone who has been independent their whole life. It doesn't mean care isn't possible.

    A few things that often help:

    • Start with companionship only — it's far less threatening than personal care
    • Involve their doctor, who can frame the conversation clinically
    • Lead with "I want you to stay in your home as long as possible" — not "you need help"
    • Offer a trial period to remove the sense of permanence

    Resistance usually softens once they meet the right person. Sometimes it helps to let us have that first conversation with them directly — we've done it hundreds of times.

More Questions We Hear From Families

Six more answers worth reading.

  • Medicare covers home health care — medical services ordered by a physician — under specific conditions. It does not cover ongoing personal care or companionship services.

    Medicaid may cover some services depending on eligibility and income. Most families pay privately or use long-term care insurance. We can help you understand your options during a free consultation — no obligation.

  • It's a free, no-pressure conversation — in person or by phone, whichever you prefer. We learn about your loved one's needs, daily routine, preferences, and your family's specific concerns.

    You leave with a clear picture of care options and an honest cost estimate. There is no obligation to proceed, and no sales pressure. You ask questions. We answer honestly.

  • Absolutely. We work alongside families, not instead of them. Many of our clients have family caregivers who need relief — this is called respite care, and it exists because family caregivers need to rest too.

    You remain the decision-maker throughout. We are a resource, not a replacement.

  • Yes — and they should. We reassess care plans regularly because needs evolve. Your plan should evolve with them.

    There is no locked-in contract. You are not committed to a service level that no longer fits. If your loved one improves and needs less support, we celebrate that with you.

  • Look for these six things:

    • State licensure — Georgia PHCP license is required for home care agencies
    • A documented caregiver screening process — not just "background checked"
    • Supervisor oversight on first visits
    • The ability to replace a caregiver if the match isn't right
    • Transparent pricing with no hidden fees
    • Local reputation — not a franchise name you've heard of elsewhere

    Be cautious of unlicensed private-hire caregivers. They may be less expensive upfront — but they carry significant liability and no professional oversight if something goes wrong.

  • Choose a calm, private moment when neither of you is stressed or rushed. Then:

    • Lead with love: "I want you to stay in your home as long as possible — and I want to make sure you're safe there."
    • Focus on one specific concern rather than a list of problems
    • Avoid ultimatums — they create defensiveness, not agreement
    • Bring a third party — a doctor or trusted advisor — if the conversation keeps stalling

    Sometimes it helps to let us have that first conversation with them directly. We've been in this room many times. We know how to meet people where they are.

Still have questions?
We'd rather talk than type.

A free consultation takes 20 minutes and gives your family a real plan. No pressure. No commitment.

Call (912) 856-1885