Links to Senior Articles
View All Articles
View Article Categories
All About Seniors Social Networking
Watch Prime of Life Online Every Week!
Click here to watch this week's Prime of Life broadcast online
Questions to Ask When Interviewing and Considering Hiring a Home Care Agency
When selecting a home care agency, there are some very important questions that you should ask of your prospective services provider:
Other Considerations:
- Is the Care Provider a:
- Home Care Agency?
- Employment Agency?
- Registry/Broker?
- Independent Contractor?
- Does the home care agency accept responsibility for screening, training, insuring, and supervising its staff?
- How long has the agency been providing private duty home care?
- 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.
Information provided by the National Private Duty Association www.privatedutyhomecare.org.
