Preparation

ü Make a list of home care needs

ü Gather information on the home environment, animals, smoking

ü List specifics about health condition

o Example: primary diagnosis, ambulatory, alertness

What to ask the Agency

ü How long have you been in business?

ü What is the screening process for home care staff?

ü How many references are checked?

ü Criminal background check?

ü Are they put to work before the results of the CORI are in?

ü Driving record check if they are driving the client?

ü Care Insurance or who is responsible for the insurance?

ü Who interviews the staff? HR, Case Manager, Nurse?

ü What is the health screening process~TB, Hepatitis, Recent Physical

ü What are the qualifications of the home care staff?

ü Are they certified?

ü If not, how is it decided that they are qualified to do personal care?

ü How is on-going training handled?

ü How is the home care staff supervised in the home?

ü By whom? A nurse, a case manager?

ü How often?

ü Who and how is the care plan developed for the client?

ü Who is responsible to ask a staff member to leave if I am not happy?

ü Is there supervisory assistance available 24/7?

ü Who pays the home care staff? The agency or me?

ü Who is responsible for their taxes and social security?

ü Does the agency cover worker’s compensation if the home care staff hurt themselves on the job?

ü If I pay them directly, am I responsible to file taxes for them at the end of the year?

ü Am I responsible for worker’s compensation if I pay them directly?

ü Am I responsible for all of the supervision if I pay them directly?