Resources
Questions to Ask When Choosing a Homecare Company
The following questions may help you include alternative (and possibly less expensive) approaches to care such as adult day care, home grocery delivery and pharmacy delivery.
- Is the home care agency licensed through the State of CA Home Care Services Bureau? (Ask the company for their Home Care Organization Number.)
- Does the home care agency involve the family in care decisions?
- Do they have caregivers available 24 hours a day, seven days a week?
- Do they ensure patient confidentiality?
- Do they have the proper business license and/or necessary state licensure?
- Are the caregivers employees of the agency or independent contractors?
- Do they provide an itemized bill for payment?
- Do they give references?
- Do they provide a care plan?
- Do they have insurance?
- Do they perform background checks on all employees?
- How does the home care agency train its employees?
- How do they handle complaints?
- How do they handle emergencies?
- How long has the agency been serving the community?
- What type of payments does the home care agency accept?
- How quickly can the agency start services?
Links to Helpful Websites
- AARP
- Administration for Community Living
- Administration on Aging
- Aging Life Care Association
- Alzheimer's Association
- The American Board of Medical Specialties
- American Geriatrics Society
- American Medical Association
- Caregiver Action Network
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Eldercare Locator
- Family Caregiver Alliance
- HIPAA: Office for Civil Rights
- Justice in Aging
- Medicare Compare
- MesotheliomaSymptoms.com
- The Medicine Program
- National Alliance for Caregiving
- National Council on Aging
- National Family Caregivers Association
- National Institute on Aging
- National Institutes of Health
- Social Security Administration
- VA Caregiver Support Program