Clear answers to the questions families ask most.

In most cases, care can begin within 24–72 hours of your initial consultation. For urgent situations — a hospital discharge, a sudden change at home, a family caregiver who can no longer continue — we move as quickly as possible without cutting corners on the caregiver match. Tell us what you're dealing with and we'll give you a realistic timeline.

No — and most families don't. You don't need to know the categories of home care or what services exist. Just tell us what's happening at home and what you're worried about. The first call is a conversation, not a screening. We'll help you figure out what makes sense.

A real conversation — about your loved one's situation, what's changed, what you're worried about, and what you'd hope for. We listen first and ask questions. We don't run through a sales script or push care options until we understand the situation. If home care isn't the right fit, we'll say so honestly.

After your initial call, one of our Operating Directors meets with your family at home — typically within a few days. This isn't a quick checklist. We walk through the home, observe how your loved one navigates their environment, and talk in depth about their routines, preferences, and history. The assessment usually takes 60–90 minutes and is how we build a care plan that actually fits.

None. The first call and the in-home assessment are both complimentary and carry no commitment. We provide a written care plan and pricing after the assessment — and nothing starts until you're ready and comfortable. We want to earn your trust before you make any decisions.

Yes — and many families do. Starting small gives everyone time to adjust: your loved one gets comfortable with having a caregiver, the caregiver learns the routines, and your family can see how it works before committing to a larger schedule. Hours can increase as needs grow or as your loved one warms to the arrangement.

Cost varies based on the number of hours, the type of care needed, and the schedule — daytime visits, overnight care, and 24-hour care are priced differently. We provide clear, written pricing after the in-home assessment, with no hidden fees. We'd rather give you an accurate number after we understand your situation than quote a range that may not reflect what you actually need.

Standard Medicare does not cover non-medical in-home care — bathing, dressing, companionship, housekeeping, and similar services. Medicare does cover skilled home health services (nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy) following a qualifying medical event. The two types of care are different, and the two often run alongside each other. If you're unsure what your situation involves, we'll help you sort it out.

Many long-term care insurance policies do cover non-medical in-home care — check your policy for language around "activities of daily living," "custodial care," or "home care benefit." We work with most long-term care insurance providers and can assist with the documentation needed for claims. If you have a policy, bring it to your consultation and we'll help you understand what applies.

Yes — several VA programs may help offset the cost of non-medical in-home care for eligible veterans. The Aid and Attendance benefit is the most commonly applicable for care at this level. Eligibility depends on service history, disability rating, and financial factors. We can help you understand what might apply and point you toward the right VA resources.

We bill on a regular schedule — typically weekly or bi-weekly — with clear, itemized invoices. No surprises. If your schedule changes or care is adjusted in a billing period, that's reflected accurately. We're happy to work with long-term care insurance billing requirements if applicable.

We screen beyond Texas state minimums. Every caregiver goes through comprehensive background checks, employment verification, reference calls, and skills assessments. All caregivers are bonded and insured. We also evaluate for the things a background check doesn't capture — reliability, communication style, and genuine care for the people they work with.

Employees. This distinction matters. As employees, our caregivers are covered by workers' compensation, supervised and trained by our team, held to consistent standards, and accountable to us — not to themselves. When you hire an independent contractor or use a registry, you take on significantly more risk. Our caregivers are part of our team.

We match deliberately — not just by availability. We consider personality and communication style, experience with the specific care needs or diagnosis, schedule reliability, and what we learned about your loved one during the in-home assessment. We introduce the caregiver before care begins. No one starts until everyone is comfortable, and if a match doesn't feel right, we fix it.

Consistency is a priority, not an afterthought. We do everything we can to keep the same caregiver in place. When schedules change or a backup is needed, we have a consistent system — not a scramble. We communicate any changes proactively, and your loved one always knows who's coming before they arrive.

Tell us and we'll address it quickly. You don't need to feel awkward about it — a match that isn't working isn't good for anyone. We'll reassess and find someone who fits better. The relationship between your loved one and their caregiver is too important to leave as "close enough."

Non-medical home care covers the hands-on daily support that keeps someone safe and comfortable at home without clinical intervention. That includes personal care (bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting), mobility assistance, meal preparation, medication reminders, companionship, light housekeeping, transportation to appointments, and overnight monitoring. It does not include administering medications, wound care, skilled nursing, or clinical assessments.

Home health is medical — skilled nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, wound care, administered by licensed clinicians. It's often covered by Medicare after a qualifying medical event. Serv provides non-medical home care: the daily hands-on support that keeps life manageable between clinical visits, or when no medical services are involved. The two frequently run alongside each other, and we coordinate with home health teams when they're involved.

No — administering medications is outside the scope of non-medical home care. What Serv caregivers can do is provide medication reminders: prompting your loved one to take their medications at the right time and observing that they do so. If medication administration is needed, that requires a licensed clinical provider.

Yes. Caregivers can accompany your loved one to medical appointments, outings, errands, religious services, and other activities outside the home. This is part of companionship and concierge support. We don't operate as a licensed medical transport service, but everyday accompaniment and transportation is something we routinely provide.

We adjust. Our Operating Directors check in regularly and communicate proactively when something changes. If the situation calls for more care, different care, or a different caregiver, we update the plan. If a situation eventually exceeds what non-medical care can safely support, we'll tell you clearly and help you think through what comes next.

Yes. Memory care is one of our most common specialties. Serv caregivers who work with dementia clients receive specific training in dementia communication, behavioral redirection, safe supervision, and working with families through the stages of the condition. Routine, familiarity, and a calm consistent presence matter enormously for people with memory loss — and those are things we're well positioned to provide.

Yes — and the period right after discharge is one of the highest-risk times for setbacks and readmission. Post-hospital support bridges the gap between discharge and full recovery: daily routines, mobility help, meal preparation, medication reminders, and observation for anything that should be flagged back to the medical team. We can often begin care within 24 hours of discharge.

Yes. Most independent and assisted living communities allow — and often welcome — private caregivers. We work alongside community staff respectfully, follow community guidelines, and coordinate with wellness teams to ensure our presence is complementary rather than disruptive. If you're not sure whether your loved one's community permits this, we can help you find out.

Yes. We understand the specific dynamics of caring for veterans — the resistance to accepting help, service-related physical and mental health conditions, and the importance of respect and consistency. We can also help families understand what VA benefit programs may apply to in-home care costs. Learn more about veterans home care →

We provide both overnight care and full 24-hour coverage through planned caregiver shifts. 24-hour care doesn't mean one person working continuously — we use multiple caregivers across planned shifts so everyone is rested and your loved one always has an attentive presence. We can start with overnight coverage only and expand to full 24-hour support as needs require.

This is the most common thing we hear. Resistance to care is usually about independence and dignity — not stubbornness — and it's completely normal. We approach it slowly: introducing caregivers as friendly presences first, starting with small low-stakes tasks so trust builds naturally. Resistance typically fades within a few visits. We can also help you think through how to have the initial conversation with your loved one before we're even involved.

Yes — this is something we do often, and it significantly changes what long-distance caregiving feels like. Regular check-ins, consistent communication, and proactive updates mean you're informed and involved without being physically present. When something changes, you hear about it from us — not after the fact from a neighbor.

Respite care is one of our most-requested services. A Serv caregiver steps in while you take real time away — a few hours, a day, a weekend, or a regular scheduled block each week. Your loved one receives full care during your absence. Most family caregivers who start respite say they wish they'd started sooner. Burnout is real, and planned time off is what makes sustainable caregiving possible.

The honest answer: usually before you think it is. Most families wait longer than they should — telling themselves it's not bad enough yet, or that their loved one will resist. If you're regularly worried, if daily tasks are becoming unsafe, if family is absorbing care responsibilities that are affecting your own health or relationships — those are real signals. You don't have to wait for a crisis. Starting a conversation now doesn't commit you to anything.

We communicate with whoever needs to be in the loop. Some families designate one point of contact; others want updates shared broadly. We work around your family's communication preferences and can provide regular written summaries if that helps keep everyone aligned — especially in families managing care from different cities.

Serv currently serves Frisco and the surrounding North Texas area. We are actively expanding — Allen, Arlington, Carrollton, Dallas, Denton, Fort Worth, Garland, Grand Prairie, Irving, Lewisville, McKinney, Mesquite, Plano, and Richardson are coming soon. If you're not sure whether we cover your area, contact us and we'll confirm.