In-Home Care Checklist: What to Ask Before Hiring

Choosing In-Home Care Is a Big Decision

When you decide to bring a caregiver into your parent's home, you are trusting a stranger with someone you love. The right agency and the right caregiver can make a remarkable difference in your parent's quality of life. The wrong fit can cause stress, safety issues, and wasted money.

Use this checklist when interviewing agencies and caregivers. Print it out or save it on your phone.

Questions for the Agency

Licensing and insurance

• Are you licensed by the state? (Ask for the license number and verify it)
• Do you carry liability insurance and workers' compensation?
• Are your caregivers bonded?
• What happens if a caregiver is injured in my parent's home?

Caregiver qualifications

• What training do your caregivers receive?
• Do you run background checks? What do they include?
• Are caregivers certified (CNA, HHA)? Is certification required?
• How do you match caregivers with clients?
• What is your caregiver turnover rate?

Services and scheduling

• What specific services do your caregivers provide?
• Can caregivers administer medications, or only provide reminders?
• What is the minimum number of hours per visit?
• Can you accommodate schedule changes with short notice?
• Do you offer 24/7 or live-in care?
• What happens if the assigned caregiver is sick or unavailable?

Costs and billing

• What is your hourly rate? Are there different rates for weekends, nights, or holidays?
• Is there a minimum weekly or monthly commitment?
• Do you accept long-term care insurance? Will you help with claims?
• Do you accept Medicaid waiver programs?
• How and when do you bill? Are there setup fees or deposits?

Oversight and communication

• Who supervises the caregivers? How often?
• Will you create a written care plan? How often is it updated?
• How do you communicate with families about changes in condition?
• Is there someone available to call after hours if there is a problem?
• Can family members access caregiver visit logs or notes?

Questions for the Caregiver

If you have the opportunity to meet the caregiver before care starts (and you should request this), ask:

• How long have you been a caregiver?
• What types of clients have you worked with?
• Are you comfortable with the specific tasks my parent needs (bathing, transfers, etc.)?
• Do you have experience with my parent's condition (dementia, diabetes, mobility issues)?
• What would you do in an emergency?
• Are you comfortable with pets?
• Do you have reliable transportation?

Red Flags to Watch For

• Agency cannot provide license number or proof of insurance
• No background checks, or background checks limited to name-only searches
• No written care plan or service agreement
• Reluctance to let you meet the caregiver before care begins
• No backup plan if the assigned caregiver is unavailable
• Pressure to sign a long-term contract upfront
• Rates significantly below market average (this often means under-qualified or unsupervised staff)

After Care Starts

The first few weeks are critical. During this period:

• Check in with your parent after each visit (or daily)
• Ask the caregiver how things are going from their perspective
• Watch for changes in your parent's mood or behavior
• Review any notes or logs the caregiver provides
• Do not hesitate to request a different caregiver if the match is not working

A good agency will welcome your questions and involvement. If they seem bothered by your oversight, consider that a warning sign.

Finding the right caregiver takes effort, but it is worth it. When the match is right, in-home care can give your parent comfort, safety, and companionship while letting them stay in the place they love most.