Click on a question below to expand listing - click on the answer to close listing.
- 1. Is the agency licensed by the state?
Most states, but not all, require agencies to be
licensed, reviewed and evaluated regularly.
Georgia has some of the country’s most
stringent requirements that an agency must
meet before being licensed.
- 2. How long has the agency been in business?
Many new companies enter the market, often
with little experience in the significant
challenges of operating a successful home care
company. New firms may not have extensive
records of caregivers' past performance, and
often attract unqualified caregivers.
- 3. Are the agency’s caregivers bonded and insured?
Accidents do happen. Everyone must be
prepared for this. The company you choose
must have Professional and General liability,
Non-owned Auto, A Dishonesty Bond and
Worker’s Compensation coverage. Some
firms have only minimal coverage and some
none at all.
- 4. How extensive are the agency’s criminal and background checks?
There are many corrupt and dishonest people seeking work. You do not want them in your home. It is important that the agency not only run a check on the last place a person worked, but complete a complex multi-state check on all the places they have lived.
- 5. How qualified are the agency’s caregivers.
Often times, an agency will simply hire
someone without much experience and even
less credentials. Reputable agencies have
requirements for levels of experience and
certification. Select a firm that requires
companion caregivers to be thoroughly trained
and certified through a recognized program.
All CNA’s must be state certified and oriented
to the agency’s policies and procedures. Most
reputable agencies have a licensed RN on staff
to insure that proper protocol is being
followed in the care of the client.
- 6. Can the agency provide references from past and current clients?
Ask the agency to provide a list of references
of past and present clients. A good agency will
provide this on request. It is best to ask for
testimonials from more recent jobs to get a
good sense of how they do business and what
you can expect from their service.
- 7. Will the same caregiver come to the client’s home on a regular basis?
It is difficult to receive good care if different
people show up every week. A good home
care provider will insist of continuity of care
and carefully match each client with the proper
caregiver.
- 8. How would a complaint or question about service be handled?
A reputable firm will provide you with a
detailed process for dealing with complaints or
service questions. Georgia license requires all
clients to have a phone number to the Dept. of
Human Resources for complaints about
service. The agency should readily provide this
information.
- 9. What procedure is in place to handle emergencies?
Emergencies do happen and a quality agency
will have policies and procedures in place to
deal with emergencies if they do occur. Its
employees will be thoroughly trained in how to
respond to serious situations.
- 10. Can the agency provide printed materials describing service rates and fees?
An agency that provides detailed, carefully
considered materials for your review, more
than likely, has gone the extra mile in other
aspects of its business. These should include
rates, minimal hourly requirements, billing
cycles and deposits, if required.
- 11. Is the client’s course of care documented with specific tasks to be carried out
... by the caregiver and is the client’s family involved in the creation of this plan?
A reputable agency will create a plan of care
for each new client. It should be carefully and
professionally developed with you and your
family. The care plan should be written and copy left with the client. The plan should
list specific duties, work hours/days, and the
name and phone number of the supervisor in
charge. The care plan should be updated and
revised as the client’s needs change.
