Questions to Ask

No matter which agency you choose to provide assisted care for your family member, there are questions you should ask before making your decision.

There are many questions to consider when researching home care:

Agency Qualifications

• How long has your agency been in business?
• Is the agency licensed and bonded?
• How is the agency licensed?
• Is there someone who can respond to my questions and concerns after business hours, 24 hours a day?
• What is the reputation of the agency among social service departments of local hospitals and other health care organizations?
• Does the agency have a Consumer Relations Department?
• Does the agency accept Medicare, Medicaid or insurance payments?
• Will long term care insurance cover these services?

Caregiver Qualifications

• Does an experienced professional interview and screen caregivers?
• Can you describe the screening process used in selecting the caregivers who work with your agency?
• What does your agency require of the caregivers regarding training and experience? How is their training verified?
• Describe how your agency checks references.
• Will the caregiver be experienced in caring for someone with my specific concerns?
• Will the caregiver be able to cook? Be specific if you have specific requirements.
• Can you send me a non-smoking caregiver?
• If transportation is needed, do your caregivers drive? Do they have their own cars?
• Are the caregivers skilled in dealing with my specific concerns? Hospice? Alzheimer's Disease? Parkinson's Disease?

Agency Policy and Procedures

• Will the caregiver sent be able to care for my specific needs?
• How long must I wait once I've placed my request for service before a caregiver actually begins?
• Will the same caregiver come every day or will different people be coming?
• Will someone from your agency call me to see how I like the service? Will they continue to "check in" with me?
• What if I don't feel comfortable with the caregiver sent by the agency?
• How are complaints handled ?
• What do I do if I have a problem or a concern after regular business hours?
• How long will it take for someone in your office to return my call if it's after business hours?
• If I choose to cancel the services I requested, is there a fee? How much notice is required?
• How can I make changes in the caregiver's schedule?
• Can your agency respond to my request for service when given "short notice?" Is there an extra charge for such service?
• What are my responsibilities to the caregiver and to your agency?
• Do I have to provide meals for the caregiver?
• Do live-in caregivers require a private bedroom?
• Will the caregiver you send me clean my house and do my laundry?
• Do I need to sign a contract with your agency?

Cost

• How is the caregiver paid? Do I pay her/him directly? Do I pay the agency? Do I pay daily or weekly?
• Will I receive a receipt for the money paid to the caregiver?
• Will it cost me more for service on weekends, nights, and on holidays? Which holidays are observed?
• Will I have to pay any additional costs such as a transportation fee or an agency fee?
• I have a long term care insurance policy; how will I get reimbursed?