Questions to Ask Home Care Providers
Home Instead Senior Care of North Indianapolis believes families should have the necessary knowledge to choose the best home care company for them. We understand that starting the process of looking for home care can be daunting, so we've created a number of questions to help you compare home care companies!
1. Is the company licensed by the State of Tennessee?
Yes, our agency is licensed and bonded.
2. Does the agency have 100% employer responsibility for the caregivers? Or does the client assume some, or all, of the employer responsibility/risk?
Home Instead employs all Care Professionals as W-2 employees. We maintain 100% of the employer responsibility for our Care Pros, including: payroll, tax withholdings, annual training competencies, bonding and licensing, and workers compensation insurance. Our clients, and their families, carry zero employer responsibility or risk when receiving care through Home Instead.
3. Do all employees complete a background check?
Each employee of Home Instead is required to complete a 7-year nationwide background check free of misdemeanors and felonies. Each employee will have a clean MVR report, have a valid driver’s license, and auto insurance for their vehicle. Our employees must also pass a pre-employment drug screen and are subject to randoms.
4. Have all the caregivers been trained?
Each Home Instead employee completes multi phased training, including learning our procedures, expectations we have, and reviewing the use of equipment our seniors may use like gait belts, walker, bedside commode, etc.
We offer specialized training to our employees, such as Hospice and Alzheimer’s & Dementias, in class as well as in-services throughout the year.
5. Does the agency offer back-up / replacement caregivers if our regular Care Pro is unable to come?
Yes, our office will work diligently to find a replacement in case of sickness or any other circumstances. It is our goal to provide quality, consistent care.
6. How much flexibility will you have in setting a schedule for services?
Clients can adjust the care schedule, as care needs change, by coordinating schedule changes with our Scheduling Coordinator.
7. Can I choose my Care Professional?
Our Scheduling Coordinator is responsible for matching our Care Pros and clients. We, however, would love your feedback on the best match for you or your loved one. Whether that’s quiet, or high energy, self-starter, etc. If at any point if it is not a good fit, please contact the office.
8. How does the agency provide quality oversight of the care provided?
We conduct routine home visits monthly. Our Client Care Team will call you or your loved one to schedule a good time. During the Quality Assurance visits, we will discuss the care being provided, document if there have been any changes in condition since our last visit, and the Care Professional’s performance.
9. How much notice do you need in order to start service?
We do our best to start care within 24-48 hours from the time of the Care Consult.
10. What do your people do in the event of an emergency?
Our office staff is on call 24/7. In case of an emergency, we ask that they call 911 first and then follow up with the office. We will contact the family or emergency contact immediately.