When a family decides to give in-home care a try, the primary concern is ensuring that their loved one will receive the best possible treatment. Of course, trusting an outside party with these very personal responsibilities is often challenging. Family caregivers often take it upon themselves to vet potential providers, but it can be difficult to know what questions to ask and red flags to look for. The list of questions below will help you gather basic information about a company’s services and gain a deeper understanding of its dedication to quality care and customer service. Any reputable home care company should be willing and able to answer these queries.
Keep in mind that some companies will conduct the intake process for new clients by phone, while others may prefer to schedule a face-to-face meeting (fees may apply) to discuss your needs and their services in detail. In either situation, you can use this list to ensure you have covered all of the points you feel are important to your family's selection.
Business Basics |
| How long have you been in business? |
| Does your state require licensing of in-home care companies? |
| Are you insured? (Ask for a copy of their Insurance Declaration) |
| Are your caregivers bonded? |
| Do you provide workers’ compensation insurance for your caregivers? |
| Can you provide references from previous clients? |
Care Management |
| Do you create a personalized care plan for each client? What does this include? |
| How often do you evaluate and update a client’s written plan of care? |
| How do you match your clients with caregivers? |
| What is your policy for communicating with a client and their family members? |
Caregiver Selection and Training |
| What is your caregiver hiring process like? |
| Do you conduct background checks? If so, what kind? |
| Do you conduct drug tests? |
| Do you provide training for your caregivers? If so, what kind? |
| Do your caregivers participate in ongoing training and education? |
| Are clients able to interview potential caregivers? If so, is there a fee involved? |
Company Policies |
| How do you handle complaints and requests for a new caregiver? |
| Can a caregiver be replaced before their next shift? |
| What is your policy for no-show or late caregivers? |
| Do you have a policy regarding time minimums per shift or per week? |
| Are there specific services that your company specializes in? |
| Are there specific services that your company does not provide? |
| How do you handle emergencies? |
| Are after-hours phone calls answered by one of your staff members or are they routed to an answering service? |
Payment Methods |
| What forms of payment do you accept? |
| Do you charge different rates for nights, weekends and holidays? |
| How often do you bill? |
| Do you take a deposit for services? |
| Do you accept long-term care insurance? If so, do you bill the insurance company directly or do clients pay you and then get reimbursed? |
The article "Interview Questions to Ask a Home Care Company" by Ashley Huntsberry-Lett originally appeared on AgingCare.com.
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