Home Care Agencies

Hiring a caregiver through an agency

Some people find that choosing a home care agency is the better option, in terms of managing their caregiver. Agencies will:

• Screen caregivers and conduct background checks. Some agencies may also undertake certain health and safety precautions to protect both individuals and their caregivers, such as CPR certifications or TB tests.
• Monitor and supervise their caregivers and should have programs in place for supervising and checking in on their caregivers when you are not present. If your current caregiver is not meeting your needs for any reason, the agency will provide a replacement.

Agencies may also provide their staff with additional training in specialty areas like dementia and Alzheimer’s care or in working with developmental disabilities. Some home care agencies provide additional services, including help with transition home after a hospital stay.

If you hire a caregiver through an agency, the agency is the individual’s employer, not you. An agency will also have programs in place to provide you with a fill-in caregiver should your caregiver need to take a sick day. Check to be sure the agency you are interested in is bonded, licensed and insured.

You may wish to print copies of the Home Care Services Checklist before you contact an individual worker or an agency. The checklist will help you learn about and compare caregivers.

You may use the National Association of Home Care and Hospice locator to find a home care agency in your area or search our resource directory by Zip Code or county.