Abstract:
A method or system is disclosed for assessing a level of care for a care guest and matching the care guest to at least one care host or to an assisted living place. The method includes steps of (a) assessing a suitable level of care for the care guest, by prompting the care guest to choose an answer from an array of possible answer choices to each question from a set of questions and assigning an answer score to each answer and compute an assessment score for the care guest; (b) assessing a care host by prompting the care host to select an answer from an array of possible answer choices to each question from a set of questions assigning an answer score to each answer and compute an assessment score for the care host; and (c) matching the care guest to at least one care host through evaluating the answer scores and assessment scores for the care guest and one or more care hosts. The questions are selected from a group consisting of bathing, hygiene, dressing, telephone use, snack preparation, eating, transfer, mobility, daily housekeeping, going to the bathroom, wellness, mental status, medications, and a means to getting medications.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefits of U.S. Provisional Application 62,256,395 filed on Nov. 17, 2015. The contents of the provisional application are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY-SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    (Not Applicable) 
       REFERENCE TO AN APPENDIX 
       [0003]    (Not Applicable) 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    This invention relates generally to the method of assessing and assisting in provision of care to seniors and/or disabled individuals. 
         [0005]    Currently, half of the people over 70 are living alone and the number is increasing rapidly. The number of people of advanced age with care needs is increasing much faster than the resources that can be developed to meet the needs of these people. In other words, existing independent housing and/or care facilities cannot meet the upcoming needs of senior people and/or disabled individuals. 
         [0006]    In addition, many seniors and/or disabled individuals would like to remain in the local community while obtaining suitable levels of support and care, preferably in a safe, secure, and independent environment. With increasing costs and inconvenience of nursing homes and/or hospitals, there is an increasing need or preference for such a care. However, it is very difficult to assess such needs due to uniqueness of individual needs, and ever changing standards established by various insurance and reimbursement systems. In addition, it is difficult to find or match suitable hosts to take care of such seniors or disabled individuals aside from the regulated places, such as nursing homes. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    It would therefore be advantageous to provide an inexpensive, simple and robust method and system to accurately assess the levels of care needed for seniors and/or disabled individuals. It would further be advantageous to provide a method and system to identify suitable hosts to provide such care, and match and connect those in need and those wishing to help together. 
         [0008]    The present invention provides methods and systems to allow for customers, such as seniors and/or disabled individuals, to assess their own level of care needed and find suitable care hosts to meet their care levels. As such, this invention allows seniors and/or disabled individuals to take control of their own care level assessment process before being placed in a high pressure situation at a senior care facility. 
         [0009]    Many people of advanced ages (seniors or elderly) often live alone, causing their home sanctuary to be a solitary place with little or no socialization, resulting in irregularity in eating and administration of medications. Moreover, with less income, seniors often struggle to stay in their current homes and need to downsize to shed responsibilities of taking care of a home. With their needs for socialization, care from others, among others, there is an increasing need for seniors to find suitable care hosts to provide them with affordable housing and care. 
         [0010]    On the other hand, there are many people who can be suitable care hosts for seniors. Such people usually like to help others, with available room(s) in their living space, would like to add to their income streams, and may have special abilities or skills to provide healthcare to suitable seniors. 
         [0011]    Recognizing that those in need and those wishing to help are not readily in contact, the present invention includes methodology and easy-to-use applications/systems to make it possible to provide both with alternatives that keep seniors in the community and help those with “home to spare” open their homes to those in need while adding income and possibilities. Those who provide needs are called care hosts (can also be referred to as “CareShare Hosts” as shown in  FIG. 4 ), while those who are in need of caring are called care guests (can also be referred to as “CareShare Guests” as shown in  FIG. 4 ). 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a flow chart of one illustrative embodiment of a process matching a care host to a care guest. A care host is a person who wishes to provide care to a care guest, who is a person in need of care, such as a senior or disabled individual. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a flow chart of one illustrative embodiment of a process (or method/system) for assessing the level of care for a care guest. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2 a    is a screen capture of a care guest&#39;s account according to the embodiment of the process for assessing the level of care needed for a care guest as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a flow chart of one illustrative embodiment of a process for assessing the levels of care that can be provided by a care host. 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a flow chart of illustrative embodiment of a care assessment process to match a care guest to a care host through a website application. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0017]    The present invention is directed to a method and system for obtaining and assessing the level of needed care for an individual in need of suitable care, and matching the individual to a suitable care host. The individual in need of suitable care can be referred to as “care guest,” “careshare guest,” or “customer” (hereafter referred to as “care guest”), who can be an elderly (also called a senior), and/or a disabled individual. The care host refers to an individual or an institution or a company who can provide suitable levels of care to a care guest, who can be a homeowner, a nursing home or an assisted living place. This method provides, in one embodiment, an ongoing update of information content and sources while at the same time filtering out unnecessary information that is irrelevant to assessment of the care level to a care guest, resulting in more accurate assessment and more suitable matching between a care guest and a care host. 
         [0018]    The processes and method in the present invention are developed over many years to address the issue to match those in need with those willing to provide a safe, secure and independent environment that meets the needs of the seniors. The questions, answer choices, and the answer scores as related to the answer choices in the assessment of the level of care for care guests are the results of distilling detailed patient information including, but not limited to the following: 
         [0019]    (1) analysis of assessment related to patients&#39; daily living activities; 
         [0020]    (2) physical mobility and information derived from licensed therapy professionals; 
         [0021]    (3) age and related demographic information; and 
         [0022]    (4) social services assessments on both pre- and post admission to supervised living. 
         [0023]    The assessment method was tested and adjusted to correlate the assessment data to results that reflect the ever changing standards established by the various insurance and reimbursement systems particular to the senior care industry. The method has been continually tested by matching the current input of care guests (the new patient or resident to the nursing homes) to suitable care hosts with appropriate living arrangements. The living arrangement of the care hosts for the care guests focuses on care requirements, supervision, and oversight necessary to maintain high level of independence of the care guests. The consistency of correlating the assessment data to the assessment results was verified to the expectations of third party providers. Recognizing every individual is unique, the present inventive method provides the ability to narrow and focus the decision making process to assure the highest possible degree of success. 
         [0024]    According to one embodiment of the present invention as shown by  FIG. 1 , the present method starts with the step  100  of assessing the level of needed care for a care guest  101 , and then, match  300  the care guest  101  to a suitable care host  110 . The care host&#39;s personal and location information is first obtained from an individual who is interested in being a care host, and such information is then assessed and matched to a suitable care guest  101 . The assessment  200  of the care host  110  can be done simultaneously, before or after the assessment of a care guest  101 . Then, the care guest&#39;s assessment results are evaluated and matched  200  to a suitable care host  110 . The results of the matching are then sent to the care guest and care host respectively  400  through emails or other contact methods provided by the parties. The parties refer to the care guest and the care host. Should the parties are not satisfied with each other, or no match is found, a message is sent to the care guest that 
         [0025]    According to the present invention as shown by  FIG. 2 , a care guest&#39;s assessment process  100  starts with a step of creating a personal profile via a website  106  (www.careandhost.com) or a mobile application  105 . To create this personal profile, the care guest  101  first either logs onto a mobile application on a mobile device (step  120 ), such as “care&amp;host assessment survey” application, or gets on the www.careandhost.com webpage. Then, the care guest creates (step  130 ) a care guest account  102  by providing an email address and creating a suitable password for the account. Afterwards, the care guest is prompted automatically to complete his or her personal profile  140  or by clicking “your profile” button as shown in  FIG. 2   a.  The personal profile  140  includes a care guest&#39;s address, age, sex, and contact information, such as emails, phone numbers. The care guest can also provide other information, such as personal interests or preferences, which can assist in finding a better match in a care host. The personal information can be edited as needed by the care guest. 
         [0026]    The care guest is then prompted to complete “needs assessment”  150 , which includes a set of questions targeted to assess a suitable level of needed care for the care guest. The questions or question categories (or categories) include bathing  151 , hygiene  152 , dressing  153 , telephone use  154 , food or snack preparation  155 , eating  156 , housekeeping  157 , transfer of the care guest  158 , mobility  159 , continence  160 , well-being  161 , memory  162 , medication  163 , and a means for getting medication  164 . The scores are then used to compute the match assessment level (the assessment score)  170 . After finishing the needs assessment  150 , the care guest is prompted to provide payment information  190 . 
         [0027]    The followings are answer choices for each of the questions: 
         [0028]    Question 1: Bathing  151   
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 Answer 
                   
               
               
                 score 
                 Answer Options or Choices 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 0 
                 □ 
                 Independent - no assistance required in bathing. Uses 
               
               
                   
                   
                 assistance/adaptive devices (shower stool, handrails. Etc). 
               
               
                   
                   
                 May need occasional reminding. 
               
               
                 1 
                 □ 
                 Preparation needed of bath water and supplies. 
               
               
                 2 
                 □ 
                 Assistance needed to get in and out of shower. 
               
               
                 3 
                 □ 
                 Only able to wash face and hands. 
               
               
                 4 
                 □ 
                 Dependent - Total assistance required in preparation, 
               
               
                   
                   
                 getting in and out shower, complete washing, and drying 
               
               
                   
                   
                 of body. 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0029]    Question 2: Hygiene  152   
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 Answer 
                   
               
               
                 score 
                 Answer Options or Choices 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 0 
                 □ 
                 Independent - no assistance required. 
               
               
                 1 
                 □ 
                 Minor assistance needed including: reminders to bathe, 
               
               
                   
                   
                 shave, comb hair, clip nails, brush teeth, etc. 
               
               
                 2 
                 □ 
                 Needs higher degree of assistance such as preparation 
               
               
                   
                   
                 of grooming materials. 
               
               
                 3 
                 □ 
                 Requires limited hands on assistance, such as steadying 
               
               
                   
                   
                 of the hands because of physical impairment. 
               
               
                 4 
                 □ 
                 Dependent - Total assistance required in washing face, 
               
               
                   
                   
                 combing hair, shaving, clipping nails, brushing teeth, etc. 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0030]    Question 3: Dressing  153   
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 Answer 
                   
               
               
                 score 
                 Answer Options or Choices 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 0 
                 □ 
                 Independent - no assistance required. 
               
               
                 1 
                 □ 
                 Needs occasional help with zippers, buttons, tying 
               
               
                   
                   
                 shoelaces, etc. 
               
               
                 2 
                 □ 
                 Needs structuring - daily assistance with what to wear 
               
               
                   
                   
                 as well as help with zippers and buttons. 
               
               
                 3 
                 □ 
                 Moderate assistance - puts clothing on or takes 
               
               
                   
                   
                 clothing off with assistance or needs help with 
               
               
                   
                   
                 prosthesis if applicable. 
               
               
                 4 
                 □ 
                 Fully dependent - can offer no assistance. Requires 
               
               
                   
                   
                 someone to completely dress. 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0031]    Question 4: Telephone Use  154   
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 Answer 
                   
               
               
                 score 
                 Answer Options or Choices 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 0 
                 □ 
                 Independent-no assistance needed to make and receive 
               
               
                   
                   
                 calls. 
               
               
                 1 
                 □ 
                 Assistance needed to initiate calls; able to receive calls 
               
               
                   
                   
                 on own. 
               
               
                 2 
                 □ 
                 Care guest only able to dial a few numbers from 
               
               
                   
                   
                 memory. 
               
               
                 3 
                 □ 
                 Care guest is only able to receive calls. 
               
               
                 4 
                 □ 
                 Staff must make and receive call for the care guest. 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0032]    Question 5: Food or Snack Preparation  155   
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 Answer 
                   
               
               
                 score 
                 Answer Options or Choices 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 0 
                 □ 
                 Independent-care guest can prepare snack/food and 
               
               
                   
                   
                 clean up 
               
               
                 1 
                 □ 
                 Prepare food or snack on own, but may need prompting 
               
               
                   
                   
                 and help with selection and clean up. 
               
               
                 2 
                 □ 
                 Need assistance with kitchen equipment (such as 
               
               
                   
                   
                 microwave). 
               
               
                 3 
                 □ 
                 Can only prepare cold snack or food, cannot use 
               
               
                   
                   
                 kitchen equipment alone. 
               
               
                 4 
                 □ 
                 Snacks or food must be prepared, completed and served 
               
               
                   
                   
                 by staff for the care guest. 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0033]    Question 6: Eating  156   
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 Answer 
                   
               
               
                 score 
                 Answer Options or Choices 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 0 
                 □ 
                 Independent-no assistance needed. 
               
               
                 1 
                 □ 
                 Assistance needed with opening cartons, packets, 
               
               
                   
                   
                 crackers, condiments, etc. 
               
               
                 2 
                 □ 
                 Assistance needed in cutting foods, such as meats. 
               
               
                 3 
                 □ 
                 Moderate assistance-prompting required or cannot 
               
               
                   
                   
                 hold utensils or cup steadily without staff intervention 
               
               
                   
                   
                 or help. 
               
               
                 4 
                 □ 
                 Dependent - hands on assistance needed for all aspects of 
               
               
                   
                   
                 eating. 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0034]    Question 7: Housekeeping (or Daily Housekeeping)  157   
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 Answer 
                   
               
               
                 score 
                 Answer Options or Choices 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 0 
                 □ 
                 Independent-no assistance needed to keep apartment 
               
               
                   
                   
                 neat and tidy. 
               
               
                 1 
                 □ 
                 Can perform light tasks such as dishwashing and bed 
               
               
                   
                   
                 making. 
               
               
                 2 
                 □ 
                 Very light tasks, cannot maintain acceptable level of 
               
               
                   
                   
                 cleanliness for health and safety. 
               
               
                 3 
                 □ 
                 Cannot maintain orderliness of personal items, such as 
               
               
                   
                   
                 newspapers, foodstuffs, or personal items. 
               
               
                 4 
                 □ 
                 All tasks associated with daily tidying must be completed 
               
               
                   
                   
                 by staff. 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0035]    Question 8: Transfer (referring to the transfer of the care guest)  158   
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 Answer 
                   
               
               
                 score 
                 Answer Options or Choices 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 0 
                 □ 
                 Independent-no assistance needed. Care guest may 
               
               
                   
                   
                 use assistive device safely. 
               
               
                 1 
                 □ 
                 Standby assist-care guest is unsteady at times and 
               
               
                   
                   
                 requires staff to be present to oversee transfer for 
               
               
                   
                   
                 safety. 
               
               
                 2 
                 □ 
                 Contact Guard-care guest able to transfer self with 
               
               
                   
                   
                 limited hand on assistance from staff. 
               
               
                 3 
                 □ 
                 Extensive-care guest needs hands on assistance with 
               
               
                   
                   
                 staff member lifting. 
               
               
                 4 
                 □ 
                 Dependent-care guest unable to transfer self. Staff 
               
               
                   
                   
                 must provide hands on extensive assistance. 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0036]    Question 9: Mobility  159   
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 Answer 
                   
               
               
                 score 
                 Answer Options or Choices 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 0 
                 □ 
                 Independent-needs no assistance. May use assistive 
               
               
                   
                   
                 device. 
               
               
                 1 
                 □ 
                 Supervised-care guest ambulates with staff member 
               
               
                   
                   
                 present to ensure safety. 
               
               
                 2 
                 □ 
                 Contact Guard-care guest ambulates with hands on 
               
               
                   
                   
                 assistance from staff. 
               
               
                 3 
                 □ 
                 Wheelchair dependent-care guest needs assistance into 
               
               
                   
                   
                 wheelchair, but can propel wheelchair safely with 
               
               
                   
                   
                 direction and cueing from staff. 
               
               
                 4 
                 □ 
                 Dependent-care guest unable to propel their own 
               
               
                   
                   
                 wheelchair. Task must be performed by staff. 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0037]    Question 10: Continence (or Going to the Bathroom)  160   
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 Answer 
                   
               
               
                 score 
                 Answer Options or Choices 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 0 
                 □ 
                 Complete continent. 
               
               
                 1 
                 □ 
                 Occasionally incontinent, but under control with 
               
               
                   
                   
                 medications and MD or doctor supervision. 
               
               
                 2 
                 □ 
                 Minor assistance needed such as reminders and assistance 
               
               
                   
                   
                 to and from a bathroom. 
               
               
                 3 
                 □ 
                 Substantial assistance required - must be reminded, taken 
               
               
                   
                   
                 to a bathroom and needs help with cleaning. 
               
               
                 6 
                 □ 
                 Totally incontinent. Total assistance needed from the 
               
               
                   
                   
                 care host. 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0038]    Question 11: Well-Being  161   
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 Answer 
                   
               
               
                 score 
                 Answer Options or Choices 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 0 
                 □ 
                 In good general overall health with no serious 
               
               
                   
                   
                 difficulties preventing independent living. 
               
               
                 1 
                 □ 
                 Stable chronic conditions. 
               
               
                 2 
                 □ 
                 Unstable chronic conditions where flare ups may occur 
               
               
                   
                   
                 including but not limited to the followings: diabetics, 
               
               
                   
                   
                 CHF, shortness of breath, edema of BLE, and seizures. 
               
               
                 3 
                 □ 
                 Acute or life threatening conditions with some hope of 
               
               
                   
                   
                 recovery (including heart attacks, some kinds of cancer, 
               
               
                   
                   
                 and mild strokes). 
               
               
                 4 
                 □ 
                 Terminal illness - state of dying, comfort, or pain 
               
               
                   
                   
                 reduction. 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0039]    Question 12: Memory (also called Mental Status)  162   
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 Answer 
                   
               
               
                 score 
                 Answer Options or Choices 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 0 
                 □ 
                 Oriented to person, time, and place but may have some 
               
               
                   
                   
                 occasional forgetfulness 
               
               
                 1 
                 □ 
                 Mild impairment-some confusion, difficulty 
               
               
                   
                   
                 remembering details, and may need guidance. 
               
               
                 2 
                 □ 
                 Moderate impairment-memory loss, especially current 
               
               
                   
                   
                 events. May be anxious, agitated at times or depressed. 
               
               
                 3 
                 □ 
                 Heavy impairment in all areas, prone to wandering, 
               
               
                   
                   
                 unable to remember personal information, and confused 
               
               
                   
                   
                 as to time and place. 
               
               
                 6 
                 □ 
                 Severe impairment affecting all areas of judgment. 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0040]    Question 13: Medication  163   
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 Answer 
                   
               
               
                 score 
                 Answer Options or Choices 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 0 
                 □ 
                 Independent medications can be provided by self, a 
               
               
                   
                   
                 caregiver, or a pharmacy dispensary system. 
               
               
                 4 
                 □ 
                 Dependent-medications must be administered by a 
               
               
                   
                   
                 healthcare professional, such as home health care 
               
               
                   
                   
                 provider, nurse, doctors, etc. 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0041]    Question 14: If needed, can the care guest have the means to provide medication?  164   
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Answer score 
                 Answer Options or Choices 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 n/a 
                 □ Yes 
               
               
                   
                 n/a 
                 □ No. 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0042]    Except for the question of medication, all questions have five choices, going from independent to dependent, separating into five levels, which roughly correspond to independent, moderately independent, more assistance needed, moderately dependent, and totally dependent. 
         [0043]    Based on the care guest&#39;s choices, answer scores are evaluated and assessed  150 . The scores for hygiene  152 , dressing  153 , telephone use  154 , food preparation  155 , eating  156 , housekeeping  157 , transfer  158 , and mobility  159  are tallied up to an assessment score (also called “the CareShare Guest Score” or “the Total Score” or “the care guest score” or “the care guest&#39;s assessment score”), also called the step of computing the match assessment level or the CareShare Guest Score  170 . The care guest&#39;s assessment score does not include answer scores from the questions of memory  162 , continence  160 , and bathing  151 . 
         [0044]    The level of care assessment for the care guest is then assessed as shown in  FIG. 4 . After the CareShare Guest (also called the care guest) takes the assessment survey  100 , the Match Assessment Level is computed (step  170 ). 
         [0045]    According to an embodiment of the present invention as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , after obtaining the results from a care guest&#39;s assessment process as shown in  FIG. 2 , assessments for care hosts are made (step  200 ). Step  200  of assessing care hosts can be performed prior to, simultaneously with, or after the step of assessing the level of care for a care guest (step  100 ). The positioning of step  200  in  FIG. 1  is for illustrative purposes only. A care host&#39;s assessment process  200  starts with a step of creating a personal profile via a website  206  (www.care&amp;host.com) or a mobile application  205 . To create this personal profile, the care host  110  either logs onto a mobile application on a mobile device (step  220 ), such as the “care&amp;host assessment survey” mobile application, or gets on the www.careandhost.com webpage. Then, the care host creates (step  230 ) a care host account  202  by providing an email address and creating a suitable password for the account. Afterwards, the care host is prompted automatically to complete his or her personal profile  240  or by clicking “your profile” button. The personal profile  240  includes a care host&#39;s address, age, sex, and contact information, such as emails, phone numbers. The care host can also provide other information, such as personal interests or preferences, which can assist in finding a better match in a care host. The personal information can be edited as needed by the care host. 
         [0046]    The care host is then prompted to complete “location information”  250 , which includes a set of questions targeted to assess the level of needed care that can be provided by the care host. The questions or question categories (or categories) include bathing  251 , hygiene  252 , dressing  253 , telephone use  254 , food or snack preparation  255 , eating  256 , housekeeping  257 , transfer (of the care guest)  258 , mobility  259 , continence  260 , well-being  261 , memory  262 , medication  263 , and a means of getting medication  264 . The scores are then used to compute the match assessment level (the assessment score)  270  for the care host. Within the location information, living amenities provided by the care host are also inquired as to whether one or more are provided, such as kitchenette, wireless internet, washer &amp; dryer, elevator, Cable TV, exercise equipment, hot tub, smoke detector, central air conditioning, fire extinguisher, en-suite bathroom, furnished, free parking, wheelchair accessible, pets allowed, pool, first aid kit, bedding &amp; towels provided, buzz/intercom, smoking allowed, etc. Other information is also inquired as to the price of the care and the starting date. After finishing the location information  250 , the care host is prompted to provide payment information  290 . 
         [0047]    The followings are answer choices for each of the questions for the care host in step  260 : 
         [0048]    Question 1 for the care host: Bathing  251   
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 Answer score 
                 Answer Options or Choices 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 0 
                 □ Independent—no assistance required in bathing.  
               
               
                   
                 Uses assistance/adaptive devices (shower stool,  
               
               
                   
                 handrails. Etc). May need occasional reminding. 
               
               
                 1 
                 □ Preparation needed of bath water and supplies. 
               
               
                 2 
                 □ Assistance needed to get in and out of shower. 
               
               
                 3 
                 □ Only able to wash face and hands. 
               
               
                 4 
                 □ Dependent—Total assistance required in preparation,  
               
               
                   
                 getting in and out shower, complete washing,  
               
               
                   
                 and drying of body. 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0049]    Question 2 for the care host: Hygiene  252   
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 Answer score 
                 Answer Options or Choices 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 0 
                 □ Independent—no assistance required. 
               
               
                 1 
                 □ Minor assistance needed including: reminders to bathe,  
               
               
                   
                 shave, comb hair, clip nails, brush teeth, etc. 
               
               
                 2 
                 □ Needs higher degree of assistance such as preparation  
               
               
                   
                 of grooming materials. 
               
               
                 3 
                 □ Requires limited hands on assistance, such as steadying  
               
               
                   
                 of the hands because of physical impairment. 
               
               
                 4 
                 □ Dependent—Total assistance required in washing face,  
               
               
                   
                 combing hair, shaving, clipping nails, brushing teeth, etc. 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0050]    Question 3 for the care host: Dressing  253   
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                   
                 Answer score 
                 Answer Options or Choices 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 0 
                 □ Independent—no assistance required. 
               
               
                   
                 1 
                 □ Needs occasional help with zippers, buttons,  
               
               
                   
                   
                 tying shoelaces, etc. 
               
               
                   
                 2 
                 □ Needs structuring—daily assistance with what  
               
               
                   
                   
                 to wear as well as help with zippers and buttons. 
               
               
                   
                 3 
                 □ Moderate assistance—puts clothing on or takes  
               
               
                   
                   
                 clothing off with assistance or needs help with  
               
               
                   
                   
                 prosthesis if applicable. 
               
               
                   
                 4 
                 □ Fully dependent—can offer no assistance.  
               
               
                   
                   
                 Requires someone to completely dress. 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0051]    Question 4 for the care host: Telephone Use  254   
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Answer score 
                 Answer Options or Choices 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 0 
                 □ Independent—no assistance needed to make  
               
               
                   
                   
                 and receive calls. 
               
               
                   
                 1 
                 □ Assistance needed to initiate calls; able to  
               
               
                   
                   
                 receive calls on own. 
               
               
                   
                 2 
                 □ Care guest only able to dial a few numbers  
               
               
                   
                   
                 from memory. 
               
               
                   
                 3 
                 □ Care guest is only able to receive calls. 
               
               
                   
                 4 
                 □ Staff must make and/or receive (or accept)  
               
               
                   
                   
                 calls for the care guest. 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0052]    Question 5 for the care host: Food or Snack Preparation  255   
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                   
                 Answer score 
                 Answer Options or Choices 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 0 
                 □ Independent—care guest can prepare snack/ 
               
               
                   
                   
                 food and clean up 
               
               
                   
                 1 
                 □ Prepare food or snack on own, but may need  
               
               
                   
                   
                 prompting and help with selection and clean up. 
               
               
                   
                 2 
                 □ Need assistance with kitchen equipment (such  
               
               
                   
                   
                 as microwave). 
               
               
                   
                 3 
                 □ Can only prepare cold snack or food, cannot use  
               
               
                   
                   
                 kitchen equipment alone. 
               
               
                   
                 4 
                 □ Snacks or food must be prepared, completed and  
               
               
                   
                   
                 served by staff for the care guest. 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0053]    Question 6 for the care host: Eating  256   
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 Answer score 
                 Answer Options or Choices 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 0 
                 □ Independent—no assistance needed. 
               
               
                 1 
                 □ Assistance needed with opening cartons, packets,  
               
               
                   
                 crackers, condiments, etc. 
               
               
                 2 
                 □ Assistance needed in cutting foods, such as meats. 
               
               
                 3 
                 □ Moderate assistance—prompting required or cannot hold  
               
               
                   
                 utensils or cup steadily without staff intervention or help. 
               
               
                 4 
                 □ Dependent—hands on assistance needed for all  
               
               
                   
                 aspects of eating. 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0054]    Question 7 for the care host: Housekeeping (or Daily Housekeeping)  257   
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 Answer score 
                 Answer Options or Choices 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 0 
                 □ Independent—no assistance needed to keep apartment  
               
               
                   
                 neat and tidy. 
               
               
                 1 
                 □ Can perform light tasks such as dishwashing and bed  
               
               
                   
                 making. 
               
               
                 2 
                 □ Very light tasks, cannot maintain acceptable level of  
               
               
                   
                 leanliness for health and safety. 
               
               
                 3 
                 □ Cannot maintain orderliness of personal items, such as  
               
               
                   
                 newspapers, foodstuffs, or personal items. 
               
               
                 4 
                 □ All tasks associated with daily tidying must be  
               
               
                   
                 completed by staff. 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0055]    Question 8 for the care host: Transfer (referring to the transfer of the care guest)  258   
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 Answer score 
                 Answer Options or Choices 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 0 
                 □ Independent—no assistance needed. Care guest  
               
               
                   
                 may use assistive device safely. 
               
               
                 1 
                 □ Standby assist—care guest is unsteady at times and  
               
               
                   
                 requires staff to be present to oversee transfer for safety. 
               
               
                 2 
                 □ Contact Guard—care guest able to transfer self with  
               
               
                   
                 limited hand on assistance from staff. 
               
               
                 3 
                 □ Extensive—care guest needs hands on assistance  
               
               
                   
                 with staff member lifting. 
               
               
                 4 
                 □ Dependent—care guest unable to transfer self. Staff  
               
               
                   
                 must provide hands on extensive assistance. 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0056]    Question 9 for the care host: Mobility  259   
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 Answer score 
                 Answer Options or Choices 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 0 
                 □ Independent—needs no assistance. May use assistive  
               
               
                   
                 device. 
               
               
                 1 
                 □ Supervised—care guest ambulates with staff member  
               
               
                   
                 present to ensure safety. 
               
               
                 2 
                 □ Contact Guard—care guest ambulates with hands on  
               
               
                   
                 assistance from staff. 
               
               
                 3 
                 □ Wheelchair dependent—care guest needs assistance  
               
               
                   
                 into wheelchair, but can propel wheelchair  
               
               
                   
                 safely with direction and cueing from staff. 
               
               
                 4 
                 □ Dependent—care guest unable to propel their own  
               
               
                   
                 wheelchair. Task must be performed by staff. 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0057]    Question 10 for the care host: Continence (or Going to the Bathroom)  260   
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                   
                 Answer score 
                 Answer Options or Choices 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 0 
                 □ Complete continent. 
               
               
                   
                 1 
                 □ Occasionally incontinent, but under control with  
               
               
                   
                   
                 medications and MD or doctor supervision. 
               
               
                   
                 2 
                 □ Minor assistance needed such as reminders and  
               
               
                   
                   
                 assistance to and from a bathroom. 
               
               
                   
                 3 
                 □ Substantial assistance required—must be reminded,  
               
               
                   
                   
                 taken to a bathroom and needs help with cleaning. 
               
               
                   
                 6 
                 □ Totally incontinent. Total assistance needed from  
               
               
                   
                   
                 the care host. 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0058]    Question 11 for the care host: Well-Being  261   
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 Answer score 
                 Answer Options or Choices 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 0 
                 □ In good general overall health with no serious  
               
               
                   
                 difficulties preventing independent living. 
               
               
                 1 
                 □ Stable chronic conditions. 
               
               
                 2 
                 □ Unstable chronic conditions where flare ups may occur  
               
               
                   
                 including but not limited to the followings: diabetics, CHF,  
               
               
                   
                 shortness of breath, edema of BLE, and seizures. 
               
               
                 3 
                 □ Acute or life threatening conditions with some hope of  
               
               
                   
                 recovery (including heart attacks, some kinds of cancer,  
               
               
                   
                 and mild strokes). 
               
               
                 4 
                 □ Terminal illness—state of dying, comfort, or pain  
               
               
                   
                 reduction. 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0059]    Question 12 for the care host: Memory (also called Mental Status)  262   
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 Answer score 
                 Answer Options or Choices 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 0 
                 □ Oriented to person, time, and place but may have  
               
               
                   
                 some occasional forgetfulness 
               
               
                 1 
                 □ Mild impairment—some confusion, difficulty  
               
               
                   
                 remembering details, and may need guidance. 
               
               
                 2 
                 □ Moderate impairment—memory loss, especially current  
               
               
                   
                 events. May be anxious, agitated at times or depressed. 
               
               
                 3 
                 □ Heavy impairment in all areas, prone to wandering,  
               
               
                   
                 unable to remember personal information, and confused  
               
               
                   
                 as to time and place. 
               
               
                 6 
                 □ Severe impairment affecting all areas ot judgment, 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0060]    Question 13 for the care host: Medication  263   
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 Answer score 
                 Answer Options or Choices 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 0 
                 □ Independent medications can be provided by self, a  
               
               
                   
                 caregiver, or a pharmacy dispensary system. 
               
               
                 4 
                 □ Dependent—medications must be administered by a  
               
               
                   
                 healthcare professional, such as home health care  
               
               
                   
                 provider, nurse, doctors, etc. 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0061]    Question 14 for the care host: If needed, can the care guest have the means to provide medication?  264   
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Answer score 
                 Answer Options or Choices 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 n/a 
                 □ Yes 
               
               
                   
                 n/a 
                 □ No. 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0062]    Except for the question of medication, all questions have five choices, going from independent to dependent, separating into five levels, which roughly correspond to independent, moderately independent, more assistance needed, moderately dependent, and totally dependent. 
         [0063]    Based on the care host&#39;s choices, answer scores are evaluated and assessed  250 . The answer scores are tallied up to an assessment score (also called “the CareShare host Score” or “the care host&#39;s assessment score” or “the care host score”), also called the step of computing the match assessment level or the CareShare Host Score  270 . The care host&#39;s assessment score does not include answer scores from the questions of memory  162 , continence  160 , and bathing  151 . 
         [0064]    After assessing the level of care that can be provided by one or more care hosts, the needs of the care guests are matched to suitable care hosts as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 4 . If the care guest&#39;s assessment score from the care guest&#39;s assessment process as shown in  FIG. 2  is within the range of 0-6, it indicates that the care guest requires an independent care hosts or can be without any care host, except that the choices in the categories or questions of bathing, continence, memory, and medication may cause the level of the care be changed, and as such, the care guest may require care hosts with relevant specialized skills. For example, even if the care guest&#39;s assessment score is 0, the care host with specialized skill is needed for the category of bathing with an answer score of 3 or 4, the category of continence with an answer score of 3 or 6, the category of memory with an answer score of 2, 3, or 6, and/or the category of medication with an answer score of 4. With these exceptions, if the medication must be administered by a healthcare professional, then the answer choice to the follow-up question 14 is determinative on whether the care host needs be skilled in nursing or the care host should be an assistant living company or place or a qualified nursing home. 
         [0065]    The next step is to assess whether the CareShare Score is less than 14 (step  301 ). If the answer is yes to the CareShare Score being less than 14 (step  302 ), the assess process proceeds to the step  303  of checking whether the care guest&#39;s answer score on the continence question is 3 or 6. If the answer score for the continence question is not 3 or 6 (which means it is 0, 1, or 2)  304 , the process continues to examine whether the answer score on the bathing question is 2, 3, or 6 (step  305 ). The answer is no (step  306 ), it means the answer score to the bathing question is 0 or 1, the process continues to the step  307  of examining whether the answer score on the memory question has a score or answer of 2, 3, or 6. If the answer is no (step  308 ), it means the answer score for the memory question is 0 or 1, which prompts the process to the step  309  of examining whether the answer score for the medication question is 4. 
         [0066]    If the answer score is 4 for the medication question (step  310 ), it means the care guest needs to have the medication be administered by a healthcare provider (a care giver). It then continues to the step  311  of whether the care guest has a means to provide for the medication. If the answer to step  311  inquiry is yes (step  312 ), the process proceeds to find a care host (also called “CareShare Host”) who has the skill of providing the medication to the care guest (step  313 ). Once the care host  110  with the skill is found (step  314 ), there is a CareShare Match  320  (can also be referred to a care match  320  or a match  320 ), which is presented to the care guest  101  via email or other contact avenues (step  315 ). On the other hand, if the answer to the step  311  is no (step  316 ), which means that the care guest does not have a means to provide the medication, the process proceeds to find a care host with the ability to provide medication (the step  317  of finding out whether there is a care host that has this Skill). Such a care host is likely to be an assisted living place or a nursing home. If the answer to step  317  inquiry is no and there is no suitable care host to provide medication (step  341 ), a message will be sent to the care guest, stating that he or she will be notified when a suitable care host is found (step  360 ). If the answer to step  317  inquiry is yes and one or more care hosts with suitable skills are found (step  342 ), the matching results will be sent to the care guest and the care host respectively (step  345 ). 
         [0067]    If the answer is no (step  334 ) to step  309  inquiry of whether medication requires administration by a healthcare professional, it means that the care guest can safely self-medicate. The process can then proceed to find a care host with suitable skills (step  313 ) based on the information and results of the care host assessment process  200  as shown in  FIG. 3 . Once a suitable care host is found and a match  320  is made (step  314 ), the matching results will be sent to the care guest and the care host respectively (step  315 ). On the other hand, if no suitable care host is found (step  335 ), a message will be sent to the care guest that he or she will be notified once a suitable care host is found (step  360 ). 
         [0068]    If the answer is no to step  301  inquiry of whether the care guest assessment score is less 14 (step  318 ), it means that the assessment score is more 14, and the process continues to step  319  of finding out whether the care guest assessment score is in the range of 14 to 42. If the answer is yes (step  320 ) to step  319  inquiry, the process continues to evaluate whether the care guest answer score on the continence question is 6 (step  321 ). If the answer is yes (step  322 ), which means that the care guest is totally dependent on others to go to bathroom, then the process continues to the step  350  of whether the care host has the skill of providing the service. If the care host has the skill (step  351 ), a match  320  is found, and the match result is presented to the care guest and the care host respectively (step  355 ). On the other hand, if there is no suitable care host with such skills (step  352 ), a message is sent to the care guest that they will be notified when a matching care host is found (step  360 ). 
         [0069]    If the answer is no (step  323 ) to step  321  of evaluating whether the care guest answer score to the continence question is 6, this means that the answer score is 3 and the care guest requires substantial assistance in going to the bathroom (step  323 ). The answer score is 3 in step  323  because this step  321  is after or within the constrain of step  331  of finding the care guest answer score to the continence question is 3 or 6 (please see the step  303 ), meaning the care guest requires either substantial assistance (an answer score of 3) or complete assistance (an answer score of 6) in going to the bathroom. After eliminating the answer of complete dependence in continence, the care guest is left with the need of substantial assistance to the continence question (an answer score of 3). The process continues to the step  324  of whether the care guest answer score on the bathing question is 4, that is, whether the care guest is totally dependent on others to bath him or her. If the answer is yes (step  325 ), the care guest is completely dependent on others to bath him or her, the process proceeds to check whether there is a care host with such skills (step  350 ). If a care host with such skills is found (step  351 ), a match  320  is made, and the matching result is sent to the care guest and the care host respectively (step  355 ). On the other hand, if no suitable care host is found (step  352 ), a message is sent to the care guest that they will be notified when a suitable care host is found (step  360 ). 
         [0070]    If the answer is no (step  326 ) to step  324  of evaluating whether the care guest answer score to the bathing question of being 4, the answer score to the bathing question is 3, and the care guest is substantially dependent on others to bath him or her. The answer score is 3 in step  326  because this step  324  is after or within the constrain of the step  332  of finding the care guest answer score to the bathing question is 3 or 4 (please see the step  305 ), meaning the care guest requires either substantial assistance (an answer score of 3) or complete assistance (an answer score of 4) to bath himself or herself. After eliminating the answer of complete dependence in bathing (an answer score of 4), the care guest is left with the need of substantial assistance to the bath question (an answer score of 3)—step  326 . 
         [0071]    The process continues to the step  327  of whether the care guest answer score on the memory question is 3 or 6, that is, whether the care guest has a heavy memory impairment (an answer score of 3) or a severe memory impairment (an answer score of 6). Step  327  is after or within the constraints of the step  333  of finding the care guest&#39;s answer score to the memory question being 2, 3, or 6, meaning the care guest has a moderate (an answer score of 2) to severe memory impairment (an answer score of 6). If the answer is yes (step  328 ) to the step  327 , the care guest has a heavy (an answer score of 3) to severe memory impairment (an answer score of 6), the process proceeds to check whether there is a care host with such skills for memory care (step  370 ) based on the information and results from the care host evaluation process  200  as shown by  FIG. 3 . If a care host with such skills is found (step  371 ), a match  320  is made, and the matching result is sent to the care guest and the care host respectively (step  375 ). On the other hand, if no suitable care host is found (step  372 ), a message is sent to the care guest that he or she will be notified when a suitable care host is found (step  360 ). 
         [0072]    If the answer is no (step  329 ) to the inquiry in step  327  of whether the care guest&#39;s answer score to the memory question is 3 or 6, the care guest&#39;s answer score in this question is 2 based on the premise of step  333 —the care guest&#39;s answer score is 2, 3, or 6. This means, the care guest in step  329  has a mild memory impairment, which requires a care host with skills to take care of such mild memory impairment (step  317 ). If a match  320  is found, the matching results will be sent to the care guest and the care host respectively (step  345 ). 
         [0073]    Going back to step  319  of whether the care guest score is within the range of 14-42, if the answer is no to step  319  inquiry (step  336 ), then the care guest&#39;s assessment score is above 42 because step  319  is within the constraint of step  318  of the care guest&#39;s assessment score being 14 or above. The process then proceeds to step  350  of checking if there is at least one care host that has the required skills. If a suitable care host is found and a match is made (step  351 ), the matching results will be sent to the care guest and the care host respectively (step  355 ). If no suitable care host is found (step  352 ), a message will be sent to the care guest that he or she will be notified once a suitable care host is found (step  360 ). More than one suitable care host can be found in the matching process. 
         [0074]    After matching a care guest with a suitable care host, additional screenings can be conducted, such as appropriate background check for the care guest and the care host. Such services can be done through a third party. 
         [0075]    This detailed description in connection with the drawings is intended principally as a description of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, and is not intended to represent the only form in which the present invention may be constructed or utilized. The description sets forth the designs, functions, means, and methods of implementing the invention in connection with the illustrated embodiments. It is to be understood, however, that the same or equivalent functions and features may be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention and that various modifications may be adopted without departing from the invention or scope of the following claims. It also should be understood that the drawings are for illustration only. The present invention may be implemented using different computer languages, platforms, mobile applications, mobile devices, networks, and structures in keeping with the spirit or essential attributes of the invention, as described in the appended claims and in the specification.