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As mentioned elsewhere in this site the State of California does not regulate in-home or custodial care. It is up to the purchaser of these services to evaluate the competency and professionalism of the provider. There has been an explosive growth of new agencies entering the in-home care market in the last few years. Quality and attention to detail can vary greatly between agencies. This page gives you some helpful questions to ask prospective agencies.
Click on the link below to download a PDF file of our Guide to Evaluating In-Home Care. Most of the questions were formulated by the National Private Duty Association, the national membership organization for in-home care providers.
Here are the questions we recommend you ask:
- Is the Care Provider an:
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In-Home Care Agency,
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Employment Agency,
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Registry/Broker,
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Independent Contractor?
In-Home Care Agencies accept responsibility for screening, training, insuring, and supervising their staff. The other models do not.
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How long has the agency been providing private duty home care?
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Is the Agency a member of the National Private Duty Association?
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How does the agency screen and select caregivers prior to an assignment? Do they use independent contractors?
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Are references checked and criminal background checks conducted on all employees?
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How does the Agency handle client complaints?
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Is there a health care professional, who along with the client and family develops an individualized plan of care? How are emergencies handled after normal business hours?
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How often are caregiver services monitored, and does the agency employ a full time qualified professional to make regular visits to the client's home?
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Does the agency adhere to state and federal guidelines in their employment practices, such as: withholding appropriate taxes, providing workers’ compensation and other benefits?
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Does the agency manage all payroll and employee-related matters?
To Download this information click here
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