Choosing the Right Home Care Agency

Step 1: Do your research

Step 2: Ask for recommendations

Step 3: Interview your top choices

Step 1: Do your research

It’s no surprise that the internet is the first place most people go when they need to find information on home health care. But before you do that, you and your loved one should discuss what level of care is needed for them to remain living at home safely. Do they just need a little help with chores around the house or grocery shopping? Or do they need more advanced help, perhaps with showering or taking medications? Once you have an idea of what type of care you are looking for, a search for key phrases can start you on the right path for finding a reputable, experienced in-home care agency. These could include:

• Home care

• Nursing care

• Personal care

• Alzheimer’s/dementia care

Step 2: Ask for recommendations

A personal recommendation goes a long way in finding a trusted home health care agency. Ask your extended family members, friends, neighbors, and colleagues for recommendations. They may know someone who has needed in-home care or may have arranged care for a loved one themselves. We also recommend getting advice from professionals in the medical field about in-home care agencies. Ask your doctor, your loved one’s doctor, nurses, and others who work in this industry for recommendations. Do they refer patients to particular home care providers? If you’ve found a few agencies during your research, ask your medical professionals if they have an opinion about those agencies.

Step 3: Interview your top choices

Once you’ve narrowed your options to the top one or two agencies, it’s time to start making phone calls, and setting-up in-person interviews. Just like a job interview, this gives you another opportunity to confirm which provider is the best choice before you hire them.