Questions to ask a home care agency

Start with the basics: what kind of help are you really asking for?

Before you ask about caregivers, get clear on the type of support you want. In-home care (private-pay, non-medical) can include companionship, homemaking (cooking, cleaning, errands), personal-care help (bathing, dressing, mobility), respite (short-term help so a family caregiver can rest), and overnight or live-in support.

If the agency focuses mainly on medical services, or says they handle Medicare/Medicaid home care, pause. Care Alongside helps families with private-pay, non-medical in-home care only, and we’re a free matching + information service—not a home-care agency.

Writing down a short “wish list” can help you stay calm during calls. For example: “Evening meal prep, light housekeeping, and a helper for showering twice a week.”

Questions about caregivers (how they screen, match, and replace staff)

You want caregivers who feel dependable and safe, and an agency that can adjust if something changes. Ask how they screen and select caregivers, and how they handle gaps in coverage.

Good questions to ask:

• What screening is included before someone starts (for example, identity checks, reference checks, background checks where allowed, and training requirements)?

• How do you match caregivers to the person’s needs and preferences (schedule, routine, communication style, language, and whether the help is companion vs. personal care)?

• What happens if a caregiver calls out sick or needs to stop working—do you have backup coverage?

• How do you handle continuity (for example, keeping the same caregiver when possible, or planning a rotation)?

• Do caregivers have training for specific tasks you need (like safe mobility support, fall-prevention habits, and dementia-friendly communication)?

If you need a caregiver who speaks your family’s language, ask directly. Many providers can often find bilingual caregivers, but it depends on location and availability.

Questions about services and boundaries (what they will and won’t do)

Every family’s situation is different, so it’s important to ask what services are included in the job description. Also ask about boundaries—what the caregiver can help with and what they cannot.

Helpful questions:

• When you say “personal care,” what specific tasks are included (bathing, dressing, toileting support, transferring/assistance with mobility)?

• Do you provide help with mobility safely (using the right body mechanics, encouraging the person’s participation, following agreed routines)?

• Do you assist with errands and transportation to appointments or only within certain limits?

• Will the caregiver do light housekeeping and meal prep? What counts as “light” (laundry, dishes, vacuuming, fridge cleaning)?

• What are the limits around medical tasks? (Non-medical care generally does not include giving injections, managing medications by prescription instructions, or performing clinical procedures.)

• If the care plan changes—like the person gets weaker after surgery—how do you adjust hours and tasks?

Care Alongside can help you compare private-pay home care options, but we don’t provide medical advice or collect medical history. Keep your questions focused on daily support, safety, and communication.

Questions about scheduling, hours, and live-in/overnight support

Schedule is usually where families run into surprises. Ask how the agency structures shifts, how they handle start/end times, and what support looks like for evenings, nights, and live-in arrangements.

Questions to ask:

• What shift lengths are available (for example, 2–4 hour visits vs. 8-hour shifts)?

• Are there minimum hour requirements or time windows you need to know about?

• How do you handle punctuality and late arrivals?

• For overnight care, what does “overnight” mean in practice (typical wake/sleep expectations, whether the caregiver can rest, and how alerts are handled)?

• For live-in care, what does “live-in” include (private room, break time, weekends, and when a substitute caregiver might be needed)?

• Are there any costs or rules for holidays or schedule changes?

If you’re trying to plan around work or family travel, say it plainly. A trustworthy provider should be able to explain options and trade-offs.

Questions about cost (get a clear, plain estimate—then plan for variation)

Cost can feel stressful, but it helps to ask for a straightforward estimate based on hours and tasks. Prices vary by city/state, the level of care needed, and the provider’s staffing model.

Typical private-pay ranges (varies a lot by area):

• Companion/homemaker help: roughly $25–$40 per hour

• Personal-care aide: roughly $28–$45 per hour

• Live-in or 24-hour care: roughly $300–$450 per day

Many families spend a few hundred to a few thousand dollars per month depending on how many hours they need.

Questions to ask:

• Can you break down the estimate by hours and the type of care (companionship vs. personal care vs. overnight/live-in)?

• Are there any added fees for scheduling changes, special requests, or weekend/holiday shifts?

• What’s included in the hourly or daily rate, and what’s billed separately?

• How do you handle time rounding (for example, exact start/end times vs. scheduled time)?

Remember: you’ll usually get an estimate, not a guarantee. Care needs and staffing availability can change, and costs adjust accordingly.

If you’re also asking about Medicare or Medicaid, that’s separate from private-pay non-medical care. Medicare’s home-health benefit is limited and generally tied to specific medical requirements and physician orders. Medicaid rules vary by state. If that’s your situation, contact your doctor and your state program/SHIP counselor directly. Care Alongside focuses on private-pay, non-medical support.

Questions about communication, care updates, and safety

Good communication reduces anxiety for families. Ask how they share updates and how you’ll contact them if something changes.

Questions to ask:

• How will you receive day-to-day updates—text, phone calls, emails, or written notes?

• Who is the point of contact for scheduling changes and care questions?

• What happens if the person refuses care, becomes agitated, or has a behavior change?

• How do you set expectations for safety routines (for example, fall-prevention habits, using proper transfer methods, and keeping pathways clear)?

• Do you have a documented plan of tasks and routines so everyone is on the same page?

• How do you handle emergencies (who they call, when they call 911, and how they document what happened)?

Even though this is non-medical care, safety planning matters. A good provider should explain their approach clearly and respectfully.