In Home Care

When selecting a home care agency, there are some very important questions that you should ask of your prospective services provider:

What to Look for When Choosing Home Care

• Is the Care Provider a:1. Home Care Agency, 2. Employment Agency, 3. Registry/Broker, 4. Independent Contractor?
• Home care agencies accept responsibility for screening, training, insuring, and supervising their staff. The other models do not.
• How long has the agency been providing private duty home care?
• Is the agency a member of the National Private Duty Association?
• How does the agency screen and select caregivers prior to an assignment? Do they hire independent contractors?
• Are references checked and criminal background and drug screens conducted on all employees?
• Is there a licensed health care professional, who along with the client and family develops an individualized plan of care? How are emergencies handled after normal business hours?
• How often are caregiver services monitored, and does the agency employ a full time registered nurse or other qualified professional to make regular visits to the client's home?
• Does the agency adhere to state and federal guidelines in their employment practices, such as: withholding appropriate taxes, providing workers' compensation and other benefits?
• Does the agency manage all payroll and employee related matters?
• Whenever possible, ask to meet with the prospective caregiver(s) before they are assigned to provide care. This will provide a good opportunity to interact with the caregiver prior to an assignment. If you are not satisfied with the caregiver, this is a good time to let the agency know
• Are Care Companions trained with actual clients prior to assignments?
• Are Care Companions specially trained to understand and work with memory-impaired clients?