Home Care Agency
Interview Guide

Find the Right Care for Your Loved One

A comprehensive guide with questions to ask, red flags to watch for, and a comparison worksheet to evaluate home care agencies.

Agencies to Interview:

1. ____________________________

2. ____________________________

3. ____________________________

Interviews Scheduled:

Date: ____________ Time: ____________

ParentCareGuide.com

Before You Start Interviewing

Understanding your care needs helps you ask the right questions and find the best match.

Define Your Care Needs

What level of care is needed? (Check all that apply)

Companion care (companionship, light housekeeping)

Personal care (bathing, dressing, toileting)

Skilled nursing (medication management, wound care)

Memory care / dementia support

Physical/occupational therapy

Hospice or palliative care

Hours per day needed:

Days per week:

Start date needed:

Specific tasks required:

Budget Considerations

Monthly budget for care:

Payment source:

💡 Payment Options to Ask About

Private pay - out of pocket
Long-term care insurance - check your policy
Medicare - limited to skilled care after hospitalization
Medicaid - income-based, covers personal care in some states
Veterans benefits - Aid & Attendance for eligible vets/spouses

Special Considerations

Any language preferences or requirements?

Any specific conditions requiring specialized experience? (Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, etc.)

Questions About the Agency

Use this worksheet for each agency you interview. Print multiple copies as needed.

Agency Name:

Interview Date:

Licensing & Credentials

1 Is your agency licensed by the state? What's your license number?

Why: Ensures legal operation and oversight

2 Are you Medicare/Medicaid certified?

3 Do you carry liability insurance and workers' compensation?

Why: Protects you if a caregiver is injured in your home

4 How long has your agency been in business?

5 Are you accredited by any organizations? (Joint Commission, CHAP, etc.)

Caregiver Screening & Training

6 What background checks do you perform on caregivers?

Why: Should include criminal, DMV, and reference checks

7 What training do your caregivers receive? How often?

8 Are your caregivers employees or independent contractors?

Why: Employees = agency handles taxes, insurance, supervision

Questions About the Agency (Continued)

Services & Care Management

9 Do you create a personalized care plan? Who develops it?

10 How do you match caregivers with clients?

11 Can we meet or interview the caregiver before they start?

12 What happens if my parent and the caregiver don't click? Can we request a change?

13 How do you supervise caregivers? How often do you check in?

Scheduling & Backup

14 What is your minimum hours requirement?

15 What happens if a caregiver calls in sick or doesn't show up?

Why: Critical - you need reliable backup care

16 How much notice do you need to change the schedule?

17 Do you provide 24-hour or live-in care if needed later?

Questions About Costs & Communication

Pricing & Payment

18 What are your hourly rates? Are there different rates for different services?

19 Are there extra charges for weekends, holidays, or nights?

20 Is there a deposit or startup fee required?

21 How and when do you bill? What payment methods do you accept?

22 Will you bill long-term care insurance directly?

23 What is your cancellation policy?

Communication & Emergency Response

24 How will you communicate with our family? (Apps, calls, written notes?)

25 Is there a 24/7 phone line for emergencies?

26 What is your protocol if there's an emergency or my parent's condition changes?

27 Can you provide references from current clients?

Red Flags to Watch For

⚠️ Warning Signs - Be Cautious If:

They can't provide proof of licensing or insurance
They're vague about background check procedures
They don't offer to let you meet the caregiver first
They have no backup plan for caregiver absences
They can't provide references
They require long-term contracts or large deposits
They pressure you to decide immediately
They don't do an in-home assessment before starting
Poor reviews or complaints with the Better Business Bureau
They don't create a written care plan

Agency Comparison Chart

Rate each agency on key factors (1 = Poor, 5 = Excellent)

Factor	Agency 1: ________	Agency 2: ________	Agency 3: ________
Licensing & credentials	1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5
Caregiver screening process	1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5
Experience with our needs	1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5
Backup care reliability	1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5
Communication approach	1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5
Pricing transparency	1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5
Flexibility	1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5
Overall impression	1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5
TOTAL SCORE	___/40	___/40	___/40
Hourly Rate	$_______	$_______	$_______

Home Care AgencyInterview Guide