Answers to the questions families ask most

Morning Star accepts private pay, many long-term care insurance policies and eligible Connecticut Medicaid programs. Medicare generally does not cover ongoing non-medical home care. We can help you identify which payment options may apply to your situation.

In most cases, we complete a free assessment within 24–48 hours and begin care shortly after.

Yes — both hourly shifts and live-in coverage, including overnight care. See our Live-In Care and Overnight Care pages for the difference.

Companion care covers company, errands, and daily routine support. Personal care adds hands-on help with bathing, dressing, and mobility. Many families start with one and add the other as needs change.

Yes - home care lets them stay in a familiar environment with one-on-one attention, often at a lower cost than a facility. It depends on the level of medical need; we're happy to talk through your specific situation honestly, including if a facility would serve your loved one better.

Yes — see our Alzheimer's/Dementia Support page. We focus on consistent caregivers, structured routines, and safety.

Bristol, Farmington, Southington, Plainville, Plymouth, Terryville, Thomaston, Wolcott, Newington, Berlin, West Hartford, Avon, Simsbury, Watertown, Waterbury, and surrounding towns.

Morning Star Home Care provides personalized, non-medical assistance that helps older adults and individuals with disabilities remain safe, comfortable, and independent at home.

Our services include:

• Personal care assistance
• Companion care
• Homemaker services
• Meal preparation
• Light housekeeping and laundry
• Medication reminders
• Transportation and errands
• Grocery shopping
• Respite care for family caregivers
• Alzheimer’s and dementia support
• Overnight care
• Live-in and extended-hour care
• Post-hospital support
• Non-medical hospice support

Every care plan is personalized according to the client’s needs, preferences, routines, and schedule.

Morning Star Home Care has a four-hour minimum per day for hourly home care services.

The number of days and hours scheduled each week will depend on the client’s needs, preferences, caregiver availability, and agreed-upon plan of care.

Home care provides non-medical assistance with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, grooming, meal preparation, light housekeeping, companionship, errands, and transportation.

Home health care provides skilled medical services ordered by a healthcare provider, such as nursing care, wound care, injections, and physical or occupational therapy.

Morning Star Home Care is a non-medical homemaker-companion agency. Our caregivers do not provide nursing or other medical services.

No. Our caregivers do not administer medications, give injections, fill medication boxes, or make medical decisions.
Caregivers may provide medication reminders and observe and report concerns to the office or the client’s authorized representative.

Our services may be appropriate for:

• Older adults who want to remain safely at home
• Individuals who need help with personal care or household activities
• Adults with disabilities
• Individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia
• People returning home after hospitalization or rehabilitation
• Family caregivers who need respite or additional support
• Individuals receiving hospice care who need non-medical assistance
• Anyone who needs companionship, supervision, or help with everyday routines

We begin with a consultation to determine whether our services are appropriate for the individual’s needs.

Morning Star Home Care serves families throughout Hartford and Litchfield Counties, including Bristol, Farmington, Avon, Burlington, Plainville, Southington, Terryville, Plymouth, Thomaston, and surrounding Connecticut communities.

Please contact us to confirm caregiver availability in your town.

Yes. Morning Star Home Care is registered with the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection as a Homemaker-Companion Agency.

Connecticut HCA Registration Number: HCA.0001265

Morning Star Home Care is also bonded and insured.

Our caregivers complete a screening and onboarding process that includes:

• An application and interview
• Identity and employment eligibility verification
• Comprehensive background screening
• Reference and qualification review
• Orientation and policy education
• Ongoing training and supervision

We consider the client’s needs, personality, preferences, schedule, location, and care requirements when assigning a caregiver.

Whenever scheduling permits, we can arrange an introduction before the caregiver’s first regular shift. If care must begin quickly, the introduction may occur at the beginning of the first visit.

Our goal is to create a comfortable and appropriate match for both the client and caregiver.

Please contact our office if you have concerns about a caregiver assignment. We will listen to your concerns, evaluate the situation, and work with you to identify an appropriate solution.

When necessary and subject to availability, we can arrange a different caregiver.

If a regularly scheduled caregiver is unavailable because of illness, an emergency, or approved time off, we will make reasonable efforts to provide a qualified replacement.

Replacement coverage depends on caregiver availability, the client’s location, the scheduled hours, and the required level of assistance.

The start date depends on the client’s needs, location, requested schedule, completion of the consultation and service agreement, and caregiver availability.

We understand that some families need support quickly and will make reasonable efforts to begin services as soon as an appropriate caregiver is available.

During the free, no-obligation consultation, we will:

• Discuss the client’s needs and daily routines
• Learn about health conditions that may affect non-medical care
• Review mobility, personal care, supervision, and safety needs
• Discuss the requested days and hours
• Answer questions about services and payment options
• Explain what Morning Star caregivers can and cannot do
• Recommend an appropriate care schedule
• Begin developing a personalized plan of care

The consultation also gives the client and family an opportunity to decide whether Morning Star Home Care is the right agency for them.

Yes. We understand that care needs can change.

Please contact the office as soon as possible if you need to increase, decrease, or change scheduled hours. Schedule changes are subject to caregiver availability, the four-hour daily minimum, and the terms of the service agreement.

Yes. Depending on the client’s needs and caregiver availability, Morning Star Home Care may provide overnight, live-in, extended-hour, or around-the-clock care.

These arrangements are not identical. During the consultation, we will discuss the client’s needs and explain which option may be most appropriate.

The cost of care depends on the type of assistance needed, number of hours, schedule, location, and payment source.

After learning about your needs, we will explain the applicable rates and provide the service terms in writing before care begins. Morning Star Home Care has a four-hour minimum per day for hourly services.

Call 860-582-5204 to discuss your needs and receive more information.

Morning Star Home Care accepts:

• Private pay
• Many long-term care insurance policies
• Eligible CareScout members
• Connecticut Medicaid programs for eligible individuals, including the Connecticut Home Care Program for Elders and the PCA Waiver Program

Coverage and authorization requirements vary. Our team can help you understand the information that may be needed, but eligibility and payment authorization are determined by the insurance company, care manager, or state program.

Medicare generally does not pay for ongoing non-medical personal care, companion care, homemaker services, or 24-hour care when those are the only services needed.

Medicare may cover certain medically necessary home health services when eligibility requirements are met and care is ordered by an authorized healthcare provider. Families should contact Medicare or their health plan to confirm their specific coverage.

Many long-term care insurance policies include benefits for home care, but coverage varies by policy.

We can provide service records and other agency documentation commonly requested by long-term care insurers. The client or authorized representative remains responsible for confirming benefits, satisfying elimination periods, obtaining authorization, and paying any charges not covered by the policy.

No. Morning Star Home Care does not require clients to enter into a long-term care contract.

Before services begin, clients or their authorized representatives sign a service agreement explaining the selected services, schedule, rates, responsibilities, and cancellation policy. Services may be adjusted or discontinued according to the terms of the service agreement.

No. Morning Star Home Care is not an emergency medical provider.

For a medical emergency, call 911 immediately. After emergency services have been contacted, please notify Morning Star Home Care so we can document the event and assist with care-schedule changes when appropriate.

You do not have to make this decision alone. Morning Star Home Care will listen to your concerns, explain your options, and help you determine what type of non-medical support may be appropriate.

Schedule a Free Home Care Consultation

Call: (860) 582-5204

Email: info@morningstarhomecare.us

Website: www.morningstarhomecare.us

Office Hours: Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Serving Hartford and Litchfield Counties and surrounding Connecticut communities.