Frequently Asked Questions
You may be reviewing these frequently asked questions because you are trying to understand your options—or because you simply want to speak with someone who knows in-home care. Abby Services is available to discuss your situation, answer questions, and help you understand the caregiver options that may be available.
No. The caregivers referred by Abby Services are not employees of Abby Services. They are self-employed statutory independent contractors who work directly with the clients they serve.
Because in-home caregiver services take place inside the client’s home, Abby Services does not claim to supervise or continuously monitor services it cannot directly observe. The client—and often involved family members or loved ones—is best positioned to provide day-to-day direction, communicate preferences, and address concerns directly with the caregiver. Abby Services remains available for referral coordination and administrative support.
Abby Services was founded in 1997 by Tom Strachan, the father of current owner Scott Strachan, RN, BSN. Today, Abby Services is one of Southwest Florida’s longest-running caregiver referral services and continues to serve families throughout Lee, Collier, and Charlotte Counties.
Abby Services is owned and operated by Scott Strachan, RN, BSN. Scott has experience in nursing, in-home care, and nurse registry administration and remains actively involved in the daily operation of the company.
We gather information about your loved one’s needs, requested schedule, location, and the type of assistance being considered. We then share the referral opportunity with caregivers whose experience and availability may align with your request.
Once a caregiver accepts the referral, the client and caregiver communicate directly about the schedule, services, and working arrangement. Abby Services remains available for referral coordination and administrative support.
Complete the Client Intake Form with the information you have about your loved one’s needs, requested schedule, location, and the type of assistance being considered. After submission, you will receive information about pricing, the referral process, and the Client Agreement to review.
Before Abby Services can begin identifying caregivers, the Client Agreement and payment information must be completed. Both can be handled electronically, allowing the referral process to move forward without an office visit.
We’ll ask for basic information about the person needing caregiver support, including their location, requested schedule, and the type of assistance they may need. Sharing details about daily routines, pets, mobility, personal care needs, health considerations, expectations, and other preferences can also help us identify caregivers who may be a good fit.
Don’t worry if you don’t have every detail figured out. Abby Services follows a client-directed care philosophy, and our owner, Scott Strachan, RN, BSN, brings extensive nursing and in-home care experience to help families understand their options and make informed decisions about their loved one’s care.
Abby Services can begin reviewing your request promptly, and we are available by phone 24/7. The timing of a caregiver referral depends on the location, requested schedule, type of assistance needed, and caregiver availability.
To begin the referral process, we need a completed Client Agreement and payment information, both of which can be completed electronically. Once those are in place and we understand the schedule and location where caregiver support is needed, we can begin sharing the opportunity with available caregivers.
In many cases, the greatest delay is simply the time it takes for a family to review and sign the Client Agreement and finalize payment arrangements. Completing these steps promptly allows us to begin the caregiver referral process without unnecessary delay.
Yes, this is very common. Often, the person receiving caregiver services relies on a trusted family member or other responsible person to help manage and coordinate their care and support. Adult children, spouses, relatives, guardians, and others involved in arranging support may complete the intake form on their behalf.
Once we receive your information, Abby Services will review your request and contact you to discuss your needs, answer questions, and explain the next steps. We’ll also provide the Client Agreement and the information needed to complete payment arrangements.
Once everything is in place, we can begin sharing your request with our network of caregivers whose availability, experience, and preferences may align with your needs.
These requirements are established by the State of Florida and overseen by the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA). Abby Services is proud of its deficiency-free survey history and takes its responsibility to maintain complete, compliant caregiver registration records seriously.
Screening results and eligibility are maintained through Florida’s Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse. When Abby Services is notified of a change affecting a caregiver’s eligibility, we take the steps required by Florida law and communicate with affected clients as appropriate.
Background screening is an important part of Florida’s caregiver-registration requirements and Abby Services’ commitment to maintaining an eligible network of caregivers.
Abby Services primarily refers Certified Nursing Assistants and Home Health Aides who meet Florida’s applicable training, screening, and registration standards.
In private-duty home care, CNAs and HHAs often provide many of the same types of hands-on assistance, including help with bathing, dressing, mobility, personal care, meals, and everyday routines. The primary difference is the credential each caregiver holds: CNAs maintain a Florida certification, while HHAs provide documentation of qualifying home health aide training.
Both credentials are recognized in Florida for the hands-on in-home assistance commonly requested by private-duty clients.
Professional liability insurance is an important consideration when choosing an independent caregiver. Many clients request proof of coverage before engaging a caregiver, and Abby Services encourages caregivers to maintain an active professional liability insurance policy.
Professional liability coverage can provide additional protection for caregivers wherever they provide services—not just when accepting referrals through Abby Services. Abby Services can also provide caregivers with information about insurance resources upon request.
Caregivers referred by Abby Services may assist with a wide range of everyday needs, including personal care, bathing, dressing, mobility assistance, meal preparation, companionship, pet care, transportation, light housekeeping, and other activities of daily living. The specific services provided are determined between you and your caregiver based on your needs and the caregiver’s qualifications, experience, and skills.
After the initial introduction, you and the caregiver coordinate the schedule and may make changes together as your needs evolve. We ask both parties to keep Abby Services informed of schedule changes so invoicing, service records, and payment processing remain accurate.
If a caregiver cannot accommodate additional hours, becomes unavailable, or is no longer a good fit, you may ask Abby Services to refer additional caregiver options.
Yes. Caregivers referred through Abby Services may be available for overnight, extended-hour, or live-in arrangements. Availability depends on the client’s needs, location, schedule, and the caregivers interested in the opportunity.
Because these arrangements can vary considerably, Abby Services will discuss what you are looking for and help identify the type of schedule that may work best before sharing your request with available caregivers.
Yes. Many caregivers are willing to provide transportation or accompany clients to medical appointments, errands, shopping, social activities, and other outings.
Transportation arrangements should be discussed directly with the caregiver, including whether the client’s or caregiver’s vehicle will be used and any associated expenses. Let Abby Services know if transportation is important so we can share that information with caregivers considering your request.
Abby Services is not a transportation provider and does not provide automobile insurance coverage for transportation arranged between clients and caregivers. Clients and caregivers are encouraged to confirm appropriate insurance coverage with their own insurance providers. As an alternative, clients may choose to use a professional transportation service while having their caregiver accompany them.
Caregiver rates can vary based on the requested schedule, location, type of assistance needed, and current market conditions. Abby Services reviews total pricing with you upfront so you understand the anticipated cost before services begin.
Clients also receive weekly invoices with an hourly breakdown of the services reported, giving them an opportunity to review the charges and address any discrepancies.
The final caregiver rate is determined between the client and caregiver based on the schedule, location, services requested, experience, and other details of the arrangement. Either party may choose to renegotiate the rate at any time.
Many long-term care insurance policies may reimburse some or all of the cost of qualifying in-home caregiver services. Abby Services has extensive experience helping clients understand confusing policy requirements, navigate the claims process, and receive the maximum benefits available under their coverage.
Abby Services can assist with service records, invoices, and other documentation requested by the insurance company. When invoicing is completed, we can electronically submit the necessary claim information each week, helping make reimbursement as simple and timely as possible.
Clients may also choose to assign their insurance benefits to Abby Services. An additional administrative fee applies to assigned-benefit arrangements because of the added processing requirements, financial responsibility, and potential payment delays. Final eligibility, coverage, and reimbursement decisions remain subject to the client’s policy and insurance company.
The client or authorized representative is therefore responsible for directing and supervising the caregiver’s services, including communicating expectations and any agreed-upon changes in the care arrangement.
Abby Services remains available to support the family by helping address concerns, facilitating communication, suggesting practical options, and referring additional caregivers when needed.
You may contact Abby Services at any time to discuss your concerns and request additional caregiver referrals. While caregiver availability cannot be guaranteed, Abby Services will make a good-faith effort to provide other qualified options that may better match the client’s needs, schedule, personality, and preferences.
The Client Agreement requires at least 24 hours’ notice when cancelling or modifying scheduled services. When less than 24 hours’ notice is provided, or when a caregiver arrives and the client refuses the scheduled services or ends the shift early, the client remains responsible for payment for the originally scheduled shift. This policy recognizes that caregivers rely upon the schedules they have accepted and may have declined other opportunities to remain available.
Although Abby Services will make a good-faith effort to assist, the Client Agreement does not guarantee the availability of a particular caregiver, replacement coverage, a minimum number of hours, or uninterrupted services.