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Choosing a Facility or Home Care Agency Questions

About Care and Safety

  • What is the staff-to-resident ratio during the day? Overnight?

  • Are caregivers trained to manage dementia, memory care, or mobility challenges?

  • How are fall risks assessed and addressed?

  • What’s your emergency response protocol?

  • How are medications managed? (In-house pharmacy? RN oversight?)

Daily Living and Activities

  • What daily activities, therapies, and social programs do you offer?

  • Are specialized diets (diabetic, cardiac, pureed) available?

  • What is your policy for family visits and outings?

  • Are there private rooms or shared rooms?

Costs and Contracts

  • What is included in the monthly fee?

  • What services cost extra (med management, assistance with bathing, etc.)?

  • Is there a deposit or entrance fee?

  • What happens if the resident needs a higher level of care?

Licensing and Reviews

  • Is the facility licensed and accredited?

  • Have you had any recent state inspections or violations?

  • Can you provide references from current or past families?

Final Checklist

Trust your gut — does the facility/agency feel welcoming, organized, and safe?
✅ Ask for a written care plan or service agreement before signing.
✅ Clarify costs and services IN WRITING — no assumptions.
✅ Visit more than once if possible — weekday and weekend visits.
✅ Always ask for recent references!

 
Caregiver Agency and Private Care
Giver Questions

Caregivers

  • Are your caregivers employees or independent contractors?

  • How are caregivers screened (background checks, certifications)?

  • What training do caregivers receive initially and ongoing?

  • Do you provide the same caregiver consistently, or will it rotate?

Care and Oversight

  • How is care supervised? (RN oversight? Care manager check-ins?)

  • Can you customize care plans to specific needs (mobility, wound care, dementia)?

  • How do you handle scheduling changes or emergencies? 

Costs and Billing

  • What are your hourly rates? Are there minimum hours per visit?

  • How does billing work? Weekly, bi-weekly, monthly?

  • Do you accept insurance or only private pay?

Liability and Backup

  • Are caregivers bonded and insured?

  • What happens if a caregiver calls out? How quickly is backup provided?

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