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Seniors — Help / Articles — Home Care Agency Screening
Check which service your loved one requires:- Medical care (e.g., wound care, injections, monitoring health conditions like diabetes or blood pressure or heart disease, assistance with medical equipment like dialysis, indwelling catheter, naso-gastric (NG) tube feeding or a ventilator).
- Rehabilitation to improve or retain function (e.g., range of motion, physical therapy following an injury), speech therapy or help swallowing (e.g., due to a stroke, Parkinson's disease or ALS) respiratory therapy, or help getting around the house or using assistive equipment.
- Personal care (e.g., help with bathing, toileting or incontinence, eating, dressing, getting out of bed or out of a chair, or being lifted)
- Housekeeping (e.g., preparing meals, doing dishes, laundry)
- Chore work (e.g., shopping, errands, minor home repair -- like clearing the front path -- or making phone calls)
- Nighttime care Make sure you know what hours you will need care for (day, evening, all-night, etc.).
- Transportation assistance Will the worker be expected to transport your loved one to activities, shopping, medical appointments, etc.? If so, will the worker drive her own car? Your car? A special wheelchair accessible van?
- Companionship Is it important for the person to provide good company? or to provide supervision to someone who is confused/has memory loss?
- Comfort care for a terminal illness Some home care agencies also provide hospice services for terminally-ill individuals. This may entail a range of needs from nurses and mental health professionals to spiritual advisors.
- How long has your agency been in business?
- Do workers provide nursing care, non-medical care (personal care, chore or companionship) or both?
- Can your agency accommodate my loved one's needs? Note: describe person's diagnosis, age, special needs (e.g., administering medications, using home medical equipment).
- What are your fees (per hour, per day or per visit)? [Note: this may vary significantly depending on the level of care needed. It is advisable to request written documentation of fees and services.]
- How many hours in a minimum shift? What about a maximum shift? Can a shift be split (e.g., two hours in the morning and two in the evening)?
- Must the client have a doctor's authorization to receive home health care?
- Is a nurse or a therapist required to evaluate the client's needs? If so, what does this entail? Will they consult with the person's physician or with family members?
- Are there any restrictions against accompanying the client outside the home or driving a car?
- Are home care workers agency employees (with benefits and insurance)? Or contractors (e.g., private individuals on a referral registry)?
- Does your agency carry malpractice insurance?
- Is your agency bonded (insured against theft)? Are workers bonded?
- Is your agency bonded (insured against theft)? Are workers bonded?
- Are all your home care workers licensed or certified? If not, what minimum qualifications do workers have?
- Do you screen your workers? If so, what type of background checking is done?
- Are workers trained? If so, does the training include:
- Safe bending and lifting practices?
- CPR/first aid?
- Infection control?
- Managing incontinence?
- Catheter care?
- Communicating with someone who is confused or forgetful?
- Managing difficult behaviors (e.g., wandering, paranoia, or memory loss?)
- Bathing someone in the tub/shower or in bed?
- Preserving client dignity?
- Can you furnish references for your workers that I can check? If not, do you have any client satisfaction survey results you can share with me?
- Are workers supervised? If so, by whom?
- Is there a written care plan specifying the home care worker's routine duties? If so, can the family have a copy? How often is the plan updated?
- Does the elder (and involved family members) have input into the client service plan? Do you arrange regular conversations with the family about the client's case?
- Will a supervisor visit or call the client's home? To whom can the client or family ask questions or make complaints?
- How do you ensure your clients' confidentiality?
- How does the agency follow-up on/resolve problems or complaints?
- Can a known agency worker be requested by name?
- Can a different worker be requested, if there was a problem with the first one?
- How fast can your agency respond to an emergency need? Are workers available 24 hours, seven days a week? Is there always someone available at your office to take a call?
- Can a replacement worker be called if the worker does not come or cannot complete a shift? If so, how long does it usually take to get a replacement?
- Do you accept Medicaid?
- Do you accept Medicare?
- Do you accept private health care or long term care insurance?
- Does the agency pay the worker's social security and taxes? If not, do I need to pay this?
- What is the cost for overtime, if the worker stays late?
- When is payment due? (e.g., at the end of each visit? weekly? monthly?)
- Does payment go to the agency? Or the home care worker directly?
- Are there any additional costs for travel time or extra services (e.g., doing laundry or errands)?
Los Angeles Department of Public Social Services: Elder Services
