You are inviting someone into your parent’s home. They will have access to your parent’s belongings, their medications, their financial documents, and their most vulnerable moments. The question of who that person is — and how thoroughly they’ve been screened — is not a bureaucratic formality. It is a fundamental safety question.
Not all home care agencies vet their caregivers equally. Here’s what to ask and what to look for.
The Minimum Standard: What California Requires
California law requires home care agencies to conduct background checks on all home care aides through the California Department of Social Services Home Care Aide Registry. This includes a criminal history check through the California Department of Justice and the FBI.
This is the floor — the legal minimum. Reputable agencies go further.
What Good Vetting Looks Like Beyond the Minimum
Employment verification. Confirming that a caregiver’s work history is what they say it is — past employers, roles, and duration of employment.
Reference checks. Speaking with previous employers or supervisors, not just listed personal references.
DMV and driving record check. Essential for any caregiver who will be transporting clients.
Skills and competency assessment. Has the caregiver’s ability to actually perform care tasks been evaluated?
Ongoing monitoring. Some agencies conduct periodic re-checks during employment.
The Independent Caregiver Risk
Many families hire caregivers independently to save money. This shifts all vetting responsibility to the family. Independent caregivers are not required to be registered with the state Home Care Aide Registry unless placed through a licensed agency. Background checks conducted by families are often less comprehensive than agency standards.
Questions to Ask Any Agency
What background checks do you conduct, and how recently must they have been completed? Do you verify employment history and check references? Do you run DMV checks for caregivers who drive? How do you handle a caregiver who receives a new criminal charge after hiring?
A quality agency will answer these questions without hesitation and with specifics.
Call Care partners for a free consultation — we’re happy to walk you through our vetting process in detail.