Frequently Asked Questions

A home care registry like Gilgal connects you directly with independent direct care workers (DCWs) who are pre-screened and cleared. You maintain more control over who comes into your home, when they come, and what they do. A home care agency employs its caregivers directly and assigns them to clients — you have less say in the individual. The registry model is often more flexible and affordable, while still ensuring every worker on our roster has passed all required Pennsylvania background clearances.

Gilgal offers two categories of services. Registry placement — now live: non-medical in-home care placement including personal care (bathing, dressing, grooming, mobility), companion care (meal prep, housekeeping, medication reminders, transportation), and respite care for family caregivers. Also available: family care consulting and planning, care advocacy, home safety assessments, senior move-in/move-out coordination, home care business consulting, and education and digital resources. We do not provide skilled nursing, physical therapy, or licensed medical services. If your loved one needs those, we'll help connect you with the right provider.

A home safety assessment is a professional walk-through of your loved one's living space to identify fall risks, accessibility barriers, and other hazards — before they cause an injury. Falls are the leading cause of injury among older adults, and the majority happen at home. A Gilgal assessment covers fall risk factors (rugs, lighting, thresholds, stairs), bathroom and bedroom safety, mobility and pathway clearance, medication storage, and emergency preparedness. You'll receive a written report with prioritized recommendations and estimated costs for any modifications within 48 hours. We recommend a home safety assessment for any senior or individual with a disability living at home — and always before or after a significant health change, hospitalization, or move. Schedule an assessment →

Pennsylvania has several Medicaid programs — including MAWD, OLTL, and ODP — that can fund in-home personal care services. Whether Gilgal accepts your specific waiver depends on which program you're enrolled in. Contact us directly to discuss your situation, and we'll walk you through which pathway may apply.

Every direct care worker on the Gilgal registry must complete all required Pennsylvania background clearances before being placed with any client. This includes a PA State Police Criminal Background Check, PA Child Abuse History Clearance (ChildLine), and FBI fingerprint clearance where required. We also verify identity, review employment history, and assess each worker's fit for our values of dignity and professionalism before adding them to our roster.

Gilgal is based in King of Prussia, PA, and serves families across Montgomery, Chester, Delaware, Bucks, and Philadelphia counties. If you're unsure whether we serve your area, reach out at care@gilgalhomecare.org and we'll let you know right away.

Timing depends on your specific care needs, location, and schedule requirements. In many cases we can facilitate an introduction within a few days. We encourage families to reach out before care becomes urgent — the earlier we connect, the more options we can offer. Contact us to start the conversation: care@gilgalhomecare.org.

The right fit matters. If a match isn't working — for any reason — let us know and we will work to find a better option. Your comfort, safety, and satisfaction are not negotiable. We would rather take the time to find the right person than leave your family in an uncomfortable situation.

Send an email to care@gilgalhomecare.org with a brief introduction — your caregiving background, any certifications or training you have, your availability, and the areas or counties you're able to work in. We'll be in touch about next steps and the application process.

Pennsylvania requires all home care workers to have three clearances before working with clients: a PA State Police Criminal Background Check, a PA Child Abuse History Clearance (ChildLine — via compass.dhs.pa.gov), and an FBI Fingerprint Clearance (required for workers who have not lived in PA for the past 10 consecutive years). All three must be current at time of hire. If you're unsure where to start, our Caregiver Starter Guide ($44.97) walks through the full process.

Prior experience is helpful but not always required. What matters most is that you have a genuine heart for serving others, a professional attitude, and a willingness to learn. Gilgal requires all workers to meet competency standards before being placed with clients. If you're new to the field, our Caregiver Starter Guide is a great place to build your foundation.

It depends on which model you're brought on under. Gilgal operates both a licensed home care agency and a home care registry. Workers rostered through the registry are independent contractors, responsible for their own taxes, insurance, and scheduling. Workers hired through the agency are W-2 employees, with taxes withheld and a schedule assigned by Gilgal. We'll be clear about which classification applies to your specific role during onboarding.

We've built a resource for caregivers at every stage. The Caregiver Starter Guide ($44.97) covers the basics of entering the field professionally — daily care tasks, safety, professional boundaries, and burnout prevention. Available in our Resource Library.

Yes. In Pennsylvania, home care registries must be licensed by the PA Department of Health under 28 Pa. Code Chapter 611. This license is required before you can legally place caregivers with clients. The application process includes submitting a series of policy exhibits, staff documentation, and operational plans. Our How to Start a Home Care Business in PA guide ($57) walks through every step of the Chapter 611 application in detail.

After submitting a complete application, the PA Department of Health typically takes 2 to 4 months to review and issue a license. Incomplete applications can significantly extend this timeline. Using a professionally prepared, regulation-referenced policy package — like Gilgal's PA Chapter 611 Policy & Forms Package — reduces the risk of delays from missing or noncompliant exhibits.

A home care agency employs its caregivers directly — it handles payroll, taxes, workers' comp, and scheduling. A home care registry connects clients with independent workers but does not employ them. The registry model typically has lower overhead and fewer employer liabilities, but it also comes with distinct compliance requirements under Chapter 611. Our How to Start a Home Care Business in PA guide ($57) covers both models and how to decide which is right for you.

Yes. The PA Chapter 611 Policy & Forms Package is a done-for-you service — you complete a short intake questionnaire about your agency, and Gilgal personally customizes every policy exhibit, intake form, service agreement, and staff document to your agency's name, address, and operations before delivering them to you. Everything is built to PA DOH Chapter 611 standards and referenced to specific regulatory sections, so you know exactly what requirement each policy satisfies.

Yes. Our 1:1 consulting sessions are available for entrepreneurs at any stage — from "I'm thinking about starting" to "I'm about to submit my DOH application." Sessions start at $55 for 30 minutes and $150 for 60 minutes. You'll leave with a written follow-up summary and specific next-step guidance tailored to your situation.

Our business resources — startup guides, policy packages, and compliance documents — are written specifically for Pennsylvania's Chapter 611 regulatory framework. They are not generic national templates. Our family-facing guides, like Understanding Home Care Services, are also written with PA's specific home care landscape in mind. If you're located outside of PA, some content may not apply to your state's regulations.

All of our products are instant digital downloads. After completing your purchase, you'll receive an email with a download link. The files are delivered as Word documents (.docx) or PDFs — easy to open on any device. If you have any trouble accessing your download, email us at care@gilgalhomecare.org and we'll get it sorted quickly.

Because our products are digital downloads, we are generally unable to offer refunds once a file has been accessed. However, if you purchased the wrong product or experienced a technical issue, please reach out to us within 7 days of purchase and we'll do our best to make it right. We stand behind everything in our library and want you to be genuinely satisfied.

Absolutely. Send a quick note to care@gilgalhomecare.org describing your situation — family, caregiver, or entrepreneur — and what you're trying to figure out. We'll point you to exactly what you need. Or book a free 15-minute intro call on our Schedule page and we'll talk it through together.