When hiring in-home care, you want to make sure the agency of good quality and the aides are trustworthy and compassionate. Here are a few of the questions you may want to ask:

Questions About the Agency and Costs

1. Are you licensed or certified? Some states require this; some don’t.
2. Can you provide me with references? You may also want to ask how long the agency has been in business.
3. Can you give me a written list of services and costs?
4. How often do you bill?

Questions About the Aides

1. How do you choose and train your aides? How long is the training? Do they receive ongoing education? (If you’re hiring in-home care for dementia, ask whether the aides have special training in that area as well.)
2. Do you perform criminal background checks on your aides? This isn’t foolproof, but it’s still important and not always required by the state.
3. Are your aides employees? This gives you the most protection regarding tax and liability laws (as opposed to the aides being independent contractors).
4. Are the aides bonded and insured?
5. Do you provide workers’ compensation?
6. How do you monitor your aides and whether I’m happy? Some services send supervisors to your home from time to time.

Questions About Your Care

1. Will I have the same aide every time?
2. Can I interview the aide in advance?
3. Will a logbook be kept at my home? This helps ensure consistent, clear care.
4. Will I have a written care plan? Who will develop it? Will I be involved? Will you send a professional to my house to help determine what I need?
5. Do you offer 24-hour emergency service? What’s the charge?
6. How much cancellation notice is required?
7. Is the aide allowed to run errands or to drive me places? In whose car—the aide’s or mine?
8. What happens if I’m unhappy with an aide? What should I do, and how do you deal with such issues?