First, you need to determine what type of care your loved one needs. Talk to friends, family, and their doctors about what kind of assistance they need and how often they need care.

Coordinate with everyone to determine what the caregiver will do and what friends and family will still help with.

You can read our post on “Is Home Care Right for My Parent? 4 Questions to Ask Yourself” to check that home care is the right type of help for your loved one.

If you decide that home care is right for your loved one, make a list of all the things you want a caregiver to help with.

Make sure to include any specific circumstances or medical problems they have so you can look for home care agencies that specialize in that, such as agencies that specialize in Dementia and Alzheimer’s care or respite care.

2. Make a List of Potential Home Care Providers

Now that you know what types of things your loved one needs help with, you can make a list of potential home care providers.

Individual caregivers vs. home care agencies

Make it easier on yourself by limiting your search to agencies instead of individual caregivers.

Agencies handle hiring, screening (including background checks), training, directly paying (including providing a W2 or 1099), oversight, and firing. If you hire an individual directly, you will be responsible for all this as their employer.

Let an agency handle that and ensure that you are getting quality caregivers.

Finding potential home care agencies

To find potential home care agencies ask your friends, family, doctors, and other medical professionals for any recommendations.

You can also search for home care directories in your area or just use Google to get some names of places. You will then vet each one.

3. Do Some Research on the Home Care Company

Before you hire a senior home care company, it is important for you to do some research on them first. They should be licensed and insured, you should also make sure that the company has a good track record of keeping seniors safe and healthy and has good reviews.

Check their Reputation

Talk to the staff and ask if they can provide references.

Read reviews online, especially from others on Google and Facebook.

You can also ask family, friends, and the medical staff about any experiences they’ve had with the agency.

Check that they are bonded, licensed and insured

Check that they are licensed, bonded, and insured

You want to find a home care agency that is bonded, licensed, and insured.

Bankrate does a great job explaining the difference between the three:

Bonded: A home care agency is bonded when it has purchased a bond to cover if its employees cause any theft or property damage. This protects the agency and provides security for you.
Licensed: Requirement for licensing varies by state. Check that the company meets your state’s requirements.
Insured: The agency should have insurance. You can request proof of coverage.

4. Learn about the Caregivers’ Qualifications

Screening of Caregivers

Ask what type of screening the agency performs. Ask about background checks, reference checks, and drug tests.

Caregivers’ Experience & Training

Be sure to ask:

How much experience do the caregivers have?
What training does the agency provide?
How are the caregivers monitored? Are there supervisor visits?
Does the agency test the caregiver’s competency?
Are they CPR and First Aid certified?

5. Inquire about Cost

The cost of home care services will vary depending on the needs of each person since home care services and frequency are tailored for each person.

After your consultation, you should be able to get a more accurate quote.

To understand the costs and billing, ask:

How rates are set (such as hourly or shift based)
How frequently the agency bills
If they accept credit cards
If they require a deposit
If they offer payment plans
How they handle expenses
What their contract entails

If possible, get the costs, fees, and billing structure in writing.

You can look into financial assistance from Medicare, Medicaid, health insurance, or long-term disability insurance.

Find out more about Senior Home Care Cost in Santa Cruz.

6. Understand What Services are Offered

Talk with the agency about your loved one’s care plan. What services do they recommend, and how often?

Refer back to your list of things that your loved one needs help with and make sure that the agency can meet their needs.

You should also ask about their procedure for emergencies.

Find out if you will receive a written care plan before the first shift and how often the care plan is reviewed and updated.

7. Understand When Services are Available

You will need to work with the agency to determine when and how often care is needed.

Different agencies offer different availability. Ask about:

Respite care
If there is an hourly minimum per visit
If they provide home care after hours, on short notice for emergencies, and on holidays.

You should also ask about cancelations both by a caregiver and by yourself. Find out how they will notify you of a cancelation and if they will provide a replacement.

Also, ask about the process for making a schedule change or adjusting hours and how far in advance you need to change or cancel a home care visit.

8. Selecting and Meeting the Caregiver

Selecting and meeting the caregiver

During your consultation, you should be as clear and honest as possible about your loved one’s needs, special circumstances, personality, caregiver preferences, and expectations. This will help the agency match you with a caregiver that is a good fit for your family.

See if you can meet potential caregivers before their first shift to see if they are compatible with your loved one, so you can all feel comfortable with the caregiver.

You should also find out if your loved one will have a consistent caregiver or if there will be a variety of caregivers.

9. Monitor Home Care Services

Set up a plan with the agency.

Determine how you will communicate with them and who will be able to receive updates. Ask about any HIPPA rules and if your loved one needs to give verbal or written consent for you to be informed about the care they receive.

Ask how often the agency reports on their care, how you can file a complaint, how issues are addressed, and what to do if the caregiver is not a good fit.

Monitor the home care services and keep the agency apprised of any problems or necessary changes.

Contact a Home Care Provider for More Information

Now that you know the steps to find the right home care agency for your loved one, you are ready to start your search.

Pacific Angels Home Care is bonded, licensed, and insured. All of our caregivers are thoroughly screened and trained, we offer services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and we offer in home consultations to determine a care plan.

If you are in the Monterey Bay or Santa Cruz area, give us a call today at (831) 708-2876 or reach us online to find out if we are the right home care agency for your loved one!

Grace Newman

Grace Newman is a freelance writer for hire and tutor from Danville, Illinois. She is a recent graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Communication and was an editorial intern and editor for Parlia (a Wikipedia of opinions website). Currently, Grace writes about online education at her blog www.getsmartsoon.com. When she isn’t writing, she loves playing card games, having picnics, and binging her latest TV show obsession.

9 Steps to Find the Right Home Care Agency for Your Loved One

1. Determine the Type of Care You Need