The questions I'd ask any home care agency, including mine
Here's something most families in Michigan don't know: the state doesn't license non-medical home care agencies. The Michigan Attorney General's own checklist calls it an unregulated industry and says it's up to the consumer to judge suitability.
That means the questions you ask matter. These are the ones I'd ask any agency, and the ones I expect families to ask VETTED.
- Do you run criminal background checks on every caregiver? State and national, plus references.
- Are caregivers your employees? Employees are trained, supervised and covered by workers' compensation. Contractors and "registries" often aren't.
- Can you show proof of insurance and bonding?
- What training happens before a caregiver works alone? Look for a hands-on skills check, not just a video.
- Who supervises the caregiver, and how often? Ask for a name.
- What happens when the regular caregiver is sick? There should be a real backup plan.
- Will we get a written care plan? It should list the tasks for each visit.
- For VA care: can you staff all the hours VA authorized? An agency that can only fill half isn't a good fit.
- Will you keep the VA social worker informed? Missed visits and changes in condition should be reported.
- How do I raise a concern, and who calls me back?
Be wary of anyone who pressures you into a long contract, charges to help file VA benefit claims (accredited service officers do that free), or promises what VA will approve. Only VA decides that.
We put our own answers in writing on the VETTED guide to choosing a home care agency.
Evan Shelline is a former U.S. Navy SEAL and the founder and president of VETTED, a service-disabled veteran-owned small business in Troy, Michigan. More about Evan