Choosing a home care provider is a personal decision, and it deserves direct questions. A good provider will welcome them. Here are the ones we think matter most, grouped by what they tell you.
About the company
- Are you registered as a Health Care Service Firm with the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs? (In New Jersey, firms that employ or place caregivers for personal care or companion services are required to register.)
- How long have you been serving families in this area?
- Who will be my main point of contact, and how do I reach them?
About the caregivers
- How do you screen, check and train your caregivers?
- Are caregivers employees of the agency?
- Will my parent have the same caregiver each visit? What happens if that person is unavailable?
- How do you match a caregiver to a client’s personality, language and routine?
About the care itself
- What exactly is included in the care plan, and what is outside its scope?
- How are the hours and schedule decided, and how easily can they change?
- How will you keep me informed about how visits are going?
- What happens if my parent’s needs increase?
About the practical side
- How does billing work, and what notice is needed to change or end services?
- Is there a minimum number of hours per visit or per week?
- How quickly can care begin once we decide?
Listen for how they answer
The content of the answers matters, but so does the manner. Does the provider listen to what you describe, or move straight to a package? Do they explain limits plainly, including what non-medical care cannot do? Are they willing to start small? The right provider should leave you feeling clearer and calmer than when you called.
Need help determining what type of home care may be appropriate for your family? Call Home Care For All at 646-526-2648.