10 Questions to Ask When Hiring a Private Home Care Provider

Selecting a home care agency is one of the most important decisions you can make. When you invite someone into your home, you want to feel trust and confidence in that person.

Here are some questions that can help guide your decision making when seeking a home care provider:

1. How long has the agency been in the business of private duty home care?
2. Does the agency employ nurses? Does it offer a free nursing assessment on the first visit to establish a plan of care? Does your nurse oversee a plan of care and make regular visits to the client’s home?
3. Is the agency licensed, insured and bonded?
4. Does the agency contract with independent workers or are they employees?
5. Who pays the home health aides’ payroll taxes, health insurance and liability insurance?
6. Are the agency’s home health aides certified?
7. Does the company perform background checks, and how does it screen its employees?
8. Does the agency provide mandatory continuing education for home health aides?
9. If there is a scheduling conflict or your home health aide is unavailable, what are the backup options?
10. Does the agency provide services at assisted living, independent living and skilled nursing facilities?