Six questions to ask a home care agency

Most families call two or three agencies before choosing one (sample guide). These questions tell you quickly how an agency works.

Who will come, and how many different carers a month? How long is the shortest visit? What happens if a carer is late or ill? How are carers trained before they visit alone? Can we read the visit notes? How much notice do we give to change or stop?

Write the answers down. The way an agency answers often tells you as much as the answers themselves.