Originally known as the Medical Personnel Pool, Interim HealthCare is a franchise-based home care agency with more than 300 locations across all 50 states. The company was established in 1966 and has provided home care for more than 50 years, making it one of the longest-running care agencies in the nation.

Interim provides personal care and specialized services, with a heavy focus on health care at home. The company’s registered nurses can assist with therapy, post-op surgery recovery and medical equipment management. Interim caregivers understand the unique needs of seniors with memory impairment and can offer compassionate hospice support for the terminally ill.

Interim HealthCare was named “Top Home Care Franchise in the United States” by USA Today and is known for its commitment to best-in-class health services that nurture the body and mind. Customers appreciate that with Interim, they can receive the care they need from the comfort of home.

What You Need to Know About Interim HealthCare

  • Established in 1966 with more than 50 years of home care experience
  • More than 300 offices in 50 states
  • Provides personal care, home nursing, respite services, memory care and hospice support
  • Customers praise Interim HealthCare for its friendly, knowledgeable caregivers who treat them with kindness and respect
  • Named “Top Home Care Franchise in the United States” by USA Today
  • Nursing care provided by registered nurses, licensed vocational nurses and licensed practical nurses

What Senior Care Services Does Interim HealthCare Provide?

Personal Care and Support Services

When activities of daily living become too difficult to manage alone, Interim’s caregivers are available to offer much-needed support. Help can be provided for just a few hours or days per week. For those who require around-the-clock assistance, a live-in caregiver can be arranged.

ADLs that caregivers can help with include:

  • Medication reminders and management, ensuring clients take the correct dose at the proper time
  • Light housekeeping, including vacuuming, dusting, laundry and mopping floors
  • Removing or cleaning up potential hazards that may cause falls
  • Navigating the home and moving into and out of bed
  • Cooking and companionship during meals, including feeding, if necessary
  • Bathing, toileting and grooming
  • Transportation to appointments, stores and visits with friends or family

Interim offers a supplementary HomeLife Enrichment Program alongside these care services. This program is custom-tailored to each individual and provides engaging activities to support the mind, body and spirit. Activities and services are based on the proven GEMS cognitive model and may include:

  • Word games and puzzles
  • Uplifting music and videos
  • Arts and crafts
  • Physical exercises
  • Family counseling

Home Nursing Services

Interim’s nursing services can save seniors a trip to the doctor’s office by providing basic medical care at home. All care is performed by an RN, LPN or LVN who understands and meets the unique needs of older adults.

Some of the services nursing can provide include:

  • Wound care and dressing changes
  • IV management and injections
  • Medication administration
  • Colostomy management
  • Oxygen therapy
  • Foot care
  • Heparin flushes
  • Management of urinary catheters, drains, bags and tubes
  • Physician followup

Caregivers can provide physical, occupational and speech therapy services with a physician’s referral. Physical therapy is designed to improve the ability to function and prevent loss of mobility. It’s a vital tool in recovery for seniors experiencing:

  • Balance problems
  • Difficulty walking
  • Falls and post-fall recovery
  • Recovery from surgery or stroke
  • Back or joint pain

Occupational therapy helps seniors improve or recover the skills needed to perform daily tasks and activities. Interim’s occupational therapists work with clients to create a custom care plan that includes treatment options and steps to reach personal goals.

Speech therapists can help seniors improve speaking, breathing and swallowing functionality. This type of therapy is useful for individuals recovering from a stroke or those who have trouble understanding spoken language due to impairment or injury.

Alzheimer’s Care and Hospice Services

Seniors who have dementia or Alzheimer’s disease can be at risk for falls, accidents and getting lost outside of the home, especially if they live alone. Interim caregivers provide the support and supervision these individuals need, allowing them to live safely in a familiar and soothing environment.

At Interim, caregivers and clinicians are certified in the Teepa Snow Positive Approach to Care philosophy. This program teaches specialized training techniques for managing the progression of memory disease. Staff is trained to recognize and react to the symptoms that dementia and Alzheimer’s can cause, such as:

  • Wandering
  • Decline of self-care
  • Changes in eating habits and preferences
  • Anxiety, anger, frustration and irritability
  • Personality changes
  • Sundowning, which can cause confusion and agitation during evening hours

Seniors who have late-stage memory disease or another terminal illness will likely eventually require full-time care. In-home hospice care focuses on relieving stress for these individuals and helps make their remaining days as comfortable as possible.

Interim’s interdisciplinary hospice team consists of:

  • Home health aides for personal care needs, including toileting and bathing
  • Nurses who provide palliative care and address the client’s level of comfort
  • Medical social workers who can help family find resources to cope with the difficulties surrounding end-of-life care
  • Therapists and counselors to provide emotional and spiritual support
  • Volunteer staff who offer companionship and assistance with household tasks
  • Bereavement specialists for surviving family members

Interim offers pet therapy during hospice visits, which may help seniors feel less isolated and have a positive mental effect. Trained handlers bring animals to the patient’s home, providing enjoyable social visits, companionship and something for the senior to look forward to.

What Are People Saying About Interim HealthCare?

Interim HealthCare earns high marks from its customers thanks to responsive, dedicated caregivers who treat seniors with dignity and respect. One family member says, “Interim HealthCare has been taking care of my father, in our home, for a little over a year. I cannot express my appreciation and gratitude enough for the two caregivers that come daily … The daily care is above and beyond. … Their care has enabled my dad to stay at home instead of a nursing facility.”

Others agree that Interim provides peace of mind that their loved ones are well-cared for at all times. As one remarks, “They have provided us with a sense of security for when I leave town and I know my mom is being taken care of. I have a sense of peace and do not worry about my mom.” Another adds, “The whole process from meeting with them to getting them started with the care was seamless. I would recommend them to anyone. They truly care about helping the family and the individual needing care.”

How Much Does Interim HealthCare Charge for Home Care?

Home care costs vary based on several factors, including the type of services required, how often one needs assistance, and the timing of the services (i.e., overnight vs. daytime care). Where you live also has a significant impact on the cost of home care, as national chains scale their local prices to the cost of living in a given area.

When planning for home care costs, keep in mind that the national average cost is about $24 per hour, though prices in your location may be higher or lower. You can contact a Family Advisor at (800) 973-1540 to learn more about home care costs and payment options in your area.

Who Should Consider Interim HealthCare?

While Interim does offer light housekeeping duties as part of a care package, the agency is mostly focused on providing medical support services at home. It’s a good option for seniors who need:

  • Skilled nursing: Going to the doctor’s office for blood pressure checks, wound treatment or other types of nursing care can be a stressful experience for seniors. Interim’s skilled nurses can handle these and many more tasks in a relaxing environment at home.
  • Alzheimer’s and dementia care: Interim staff is certified to care for Alzheimer’s and dementia patients in a holistic manner that supports body, mind and spirit. Caregivers are versed in the symptoms these diseases cause and understand how to respond appropriately.
  • Hospice and palliative care: Interim caregivers provide comfort to seniors in their remaining days and reassurance to family and loved ones. The agency’s pet therapy program can minimize loneliness and isolation for animal-loving hospice patients.

How to Get Started with Interim HealthCare

Contact a Family Advisor at (800) 973-1540 for more information about Interim HealthCare’s offerings in your area and to connect with a local home care provider. Our knowledgeable Family Advisors can provide one-on-one guidance to help you find the best home care service for your needs and budget, all at no cost to you. No matter where you are in the process of choosing a home care provider, a Family Advisor can help.