Interviewing In Home Care Providers

When you interview in-home care providers, use these questions to guide your discussion.

Tell me about your agency. How long has your agency been in business?

 

Is the agency licensed by the state?

  • Yes
  • No

What services is your agency licensed to perform?

 

Are the caregivers agency employees or are they independent contractors?

  • Employees
  • Independent contractors

Do you send the same staff member out for every visit or do you assign different staff to a job?

  • Same staff
  • Different staff

Workman’s compensation covers any injury to the aide that occurs on a person’s property. Is the aide covered by Workman’s compensation?

  • Yes
  • No

Does the agency have a minimum number of hours or days that service is required?

  • Yes
  • No

What type of employee screening is done when hiring?

 

Does the agency supply literature explaining its services, eligibility requirements, fees, and funding sources?

  • Yes
  • No

How much on the job training is required initially and throughout the year?

 

Any specialized training in dementia?

  • Yes
  • No

Is a nurse required to evaluate the patient’s home care needs?

  • Yes
  • No

Do they provide a written care plan?

  • Yes. How often is it updated?
  • No

Does the agency assign a supervisor to oversee the quality of care patients are receiving in the home and how often are the patients visited in the home?

  • Yes
  • No

Who do you call if the aide doesn’t show and what does the agency do about it?

 

Do you have an after-hours phone number someone can call in emergencies?

  • Yes
  • No