Senior Moments: Twenty Questions

Selecting the right resource for care and companionship at home can be a difficult decision. This helpful guide provides a checklist of questions you should ask when interviewing a potential care provider. Your loved one deserves to have all these questions asked and answered.

1.  How many years has your agency been in business serving the local community?         

2.  Does your agency carry liability insurance coverage?

3.  Are caregivers screened including use of reference checks, and are driving and criminal background checks done?

4.  Are your caregivers employed by your company (not contractors) and protected by workers’ compensation?

5.  Are your caregivers bonded and insured?

6.  Do you have a systematic method for tracking caregiver arrival and departure times at the client’s home?

7.  Do you provide 24-hour telephone services for handling emergencies during weekends and holidays?

8.  Do you provide back-up coverage in case a caregiver cannot make it to work?

9.  Does your agency require a minimum number of hours per shift? If so, what is the minimum?

10.  Does your non-medical care include personal care assistance, i.e., bathing, incontinence care, and mobility assistance, if needed?

11.  Does your agency maintain a business office where I can stop by and meet you and the office staff?

12.  Describe your administrative support staff. Do you have an LPN or RN on staff, or readily accessible, for consultation?

13.  Do you publish the care services provided and rates that clearly describe all fees?

14.  Do you provide written statements (invoices) identifying in detail all services and associated costs?

15.  Does your agency make periodic supervisory visits to a client’s home?

16.  Are you willing to provide documentation that state the rights and responsibilities of the client, and explains the company’s privacy policy, code of ethics, and HIPAA compliance?

17.  Can you provide emergency monitoring systems, fall protection devices, and/or automated medication dispensers if needed?

18.  Will your agency provide a free in-home assessment prior to starting services?

19.  Are you certified by any government agency to provide homecare?

20.  How quickly can your agency initiate services for me or my loved one?

If any of these questions cannot be answered to your satisfaction, keep on searching for another agency. Private caregivers, while less expensive, cannot provide the level of service that your loved one will need. 

My name is Rudy, and this has been a Senior Moment.

Rudy VanDerLaan is owner of Comfort Keepers, which provides non-medical in home care. A further description of available  services can be found at www.comfortkeepers.com