Inviting a caregiver into your loved one’s home is a big decision. The best way to feel confident is to ask good questions, and to listen carefully to the answers. Use this list when you call or meet with home care agencies so you can compare them side by side.
Quick answer: The most important questions to ask a home care agency cover caregiver screening and training, how care plans are built and updated, scheduling and backup coverage, communication with families, licensing and insurance, and how pricing works. Clear, specific answers are a good sign.
Questions to Ask a Home Care Agency About Its Background
- How long have you been providing home care in this area? Experience in your community often means stronger local relationships and resources.
- Are you licensed, bonded, and insured? Licensing requirements vary by state. Ask what applies in yours.
- What services do you provide, and what don’t you provide? Make sure they can meet your loved one’s needs now and as they change. Not sure what you need? Read What Is Non-Medical Home Care?
- Can you provide references from families you’ve served?
About Caregivers
- How do you screen caregivers? Look for background checks, reference checks, and interviews.
- Are caregivers employees of the agency? Employees are typically covered by the agency’s insurance and workers’ compensation, and the agency handles payroll taxes.
- What training do caregivers receive? Ask about initial and ongoing training.
- Do you offer specialized training, such as dementia care? If your loved one has Alzheimer’s, this matters. See our guide to dementia care at home.
- How do you match caregivers with clients? Good agencies consider personality, interests, and needs, not just availability.
- Can we meet the caregiver before care starts?
- What happens if my loved one doesn’t connect with the caregiver?
- How do you try to keep the same caregivers consistent? Consistency builds trust, especially for people with dementia.
About the Care Plan
- Do you offer a free in-home assessment?
- Who creates the care plan, and how involved is our family?
- How often is the care plan reviewed and updated?
- How do you handle changes in health or needs?
About Scheduling
- Is there a minimum number of hours per visit or per week?
- Do you offer overnight, weekend, holiday, and 24-hour care?
- What happens if a caregiver is sick or can’t make a shift? Ask how backup coverage works.
- How quickly can care begin?
About Communication and Safety
- How will you keep our family updated? Ask about calls, notes, or apps.
- Who do we call with questions or concerns, including after hours?
- How do you handle emergencies?
About Cost
- How does pricing work, and what’s included? Ask about hourly rates, differences for nights or weekends, and any deposits or fees.
- Do you work with long-term care insurance, veterans’ benefits, or other programs? Our guide to how to pay for home care explains common options.
Listening Between the Lines
The answers matter, but so does how they’re given. Notice whether the agency listens to your concerns, explains things clearly without pressure, and asks thoughtful questions about your loved one as a person: their routines, history, and what makes them happy. That’s a good sign of how they’ll care for them.
Be cautious if an agency can’t explain its screening process, avoids questions about insurance, or pushes you to sign quickly. Our complete guide to choosing the right home care provider covers more of what to look for.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many home care agencies should I interview?
Talking with two or three agencies usually gives you a good sense of options and helps you compare.
Should my parent be part of the interview?
Whenever possible, yes. Involving your loved one respects their independence and helps the agency understand their preferences.
How Briggs Home Care Can Help
We welcome every one of these questions. Your local Briggs Home Care team will walk you through our caregivers, care planning, scheduling, and pricing during a free, no-obligation consultation. Explore our services, find a location near you, or call 1-833-960-CARE (2273).
Related Reading
- Start here: How to Choose the Right Home Care Provider for Your Family
- Home Care vs. Home Health Care: What’s the Difference?
- Agency Caregiver vs. Private Caregiver: Pros, Cons, and Hidden Risks
Trusted outside resource: Eldercare Locator (U.S. Administration for Community Living)
