A free consultation with a home care agency is not a sales pitch you have to survive. It’s an information-gathering opportunity. The right agency wants to understand your situation deeply. And you should walk in with questions that reveal whether they’re the right fit.
About the caregivers
How do you recruit and screen your caregivers? You’re looking for specifics: criminal background checks, reference verification, in-person interviews, skills assessments.
What does your training program cover? Ask about initial training and ongoing development. Ask specifically about dementia, parkinson’s, or conditions relevant to your family member.
How do you handle caregiver turnover? What’s your process when a caregiver can’t make a shift? Who covers, and how quickly?
How do you match caregivers to clients? The answer should go beyond availability and geography — personality fit, shared interests, specific care skills should all factor in.
About the care plan
How is the care plan developed? A good agency conducts a thorough assessment before the first visit.
How often is the care plan reviewed and updated? Needs change. The care plan should change with them.
Who do we contact if something isn’t working? There should be a clear, named point of contact.
About the business
Are you licensed, bonded, and insured? In California, non-medical home care agencies are required to be licensed through the Home Care Services Bureau.
Are caregivers your employees or independent contractors? Employee caregivers are covered by workers’ compensation and are the agency’s legal responsibility.
Do you bill insurance, Medi-Cal, or long-term care insurance? If your family member has any of these, find out if the agency can work within those payment structures.
About the relationship
Can we meet potential caregivers before committing? A good agency will facilitate this.
What happens if the relationship with a caregiver isn’t working? The answer should be: we find another match.
The question underneath all the questions
By the end of the consultation, the real thing you’re evaluating is: do I trust these people? That’s the agency worth choosing.
Schedule your free consultation with Care partners — bring this list.