Home care planning
Good Questions to Ask When Choosing In-Home Care for Seniors
About the Caregiver and Agency:
- What qualifications, certifications, or training do your caregivers have?
- Are caregivers employees or independent contractors?
- Do you conduct background checks and drug screenings?
- Can we interview or meet the caregiver beforehand?
- What is your policy if the caregiver is sick or unavailable?
Care Services & Customization
- What specific services do you provide (e.g., bathing, mobility assistance, medication reminders, meal prep)?
- Is there a care plan tailored to the senior’s needs?
- How often is the care plan reviewed and updated?
Scheduling & Availability
- What are the minimum or maximum hours of care available per week?
- Is 27/7 care or live-in care an option?
- How flexible is the schedule if our needs change?
Cost & Billing
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What is your hourly rate, and are there different rates for weekends or holidays?
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Are there any additional fees (e.g., mileage, late cancellation)?
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Do you accept long-term care insurance, Medicaid, or Medicare?
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How is billing handled — weekly, monthly, electronically?
Oversight & Safety
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Who supervises the caregiver and how often do they check in?
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How do you handle emergencies or incidents?
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What’s the procedure for resolving conflicts or dissatisfaction?
Communication
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Will we have a primary contact person?
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How are updates or concerns communicated to the family?
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Do you offer a system or app for real-time updates?