Questions to Ask When Choosing a Home Care Provider

Family carers often come to the realization they need help caring for a parent or other loved one when they consider their other responsibilities at work and home. However, giving up some of the responsibility to someone else can be difficult. After all, how are you going to find a carer who provides the same degree of quality care and devotion that you provide your loved one?

To help you accomplish this, Comfort Keepers has assembled a list of important questions to ask as you interview prospective professional caregiving companies:

How long has your company been in business?

If a home care provider has been around awhile, you should have no trouble researching their reputation through your local Public Health Nurse, local GP and healthcare providers, at church, around town, and from friends and family. Well-established providers generally have higher staff retention rates than fledgling organisations and thus offer more experienced, trained carers.

Can you send me information about your services and fees?

This will do more than help you compare services and fees. The quality of the informational materials you receive may indicate the attention a home care provider gives to all aspects of its operations. Also ask for references.

How do you select your carers?

Look for providers that balance experience and training with a person’s innate gift to serve and care for others. No amount of experience makes up for a lack of true compassion.

It is also essential that providers thoroughly screen and interview candidates. This should include Garda Vetting and other background checks, personality assessments (which can identify people who possess caregiving qualities), interviews and reference checks.
Also look for organizations that provide training to candidates who pass the screening process and require that carers, once hired, complete ongoing training to maintain and update their skills.

Are your caregivers adequately insured?

Make sure the agency you choose has coverage to protect your loved one and your family. The provider should carry professional and employer liability insurance.

How are carers supervised?

Some agencies, such as Comfort Keepers, make regular quality assurance calls and visits to make certain carers consistently deliver quality care. To further ensure quality care, see that all carers are regularly and closely supervised by a Client Care Manager.

Will you provide a home assessment prior to starting services?

Through a thorough home assessment with you and your loved one, a representative of a home care provider can discover needs and help you determine whether the organization can meet them to your satisfaction.

Will you provide a written care plan before you begin service?

A written care plan prevents misunderstandings. You can use it for reference when calling the home care provider with concerns. To be effective, the plan needs to be developed with your input and needs to be flexible so it can be updated as your loved one’s needs change.

What if I am not satisfied with the caregiver assigned to me or a loved one?

Reputable home care providers will assign a new carer when a match does not work out.

What procedures are in place for emergencies?

Ask how the provider or carer will deliver services in the event of an emergency. Does the organization provide 24-hour telephone service for handling emergencies during weekends and holidays?

What is the process for addressing problems?

Confirm up front whom to contact—and how—when you experience problems or have questions or requests.