How to Choose the Right Caregiver for Yourself or Someone You Love
Choose a caregiver by matching the person to the level of help needed, then checking skills, references, and background, and testing the fit with a trial period. Involve the person receiving care, agree on duties and schedule in writing, and decide whether to use an agency or hire directly. Trust and compatibility matter as much as credentials.
Start with the person, not the job posting
Write down what help is needed, the hours, and your preferences:
- Daily tasks, like bathing, dressing, meals, medication reminders, and transportation
- Companionship and activity
- Hours and schedule, including nights and weekends
- Personality, language, pets, and experience with memory loss
Match the type of caregiver to the need
- Companions and homemakers help with company, errands, and light housekeeping.
- Personal care aides and home health aides help with bathing, dressing, and daily routines.
- Certified nursing assistants have additional clinical training.
- Nurses and therapists provide skilled care.
Titles, training, and licensing vary by state, so ask what a title means where you live. Skilled care needs licensed professionals, and Medicare may cover part-time skilled home health care if you’re homebound. See Does Medicare Cover Long-Term Care?.
Include the person receiving care
It’s their home and their dignity. Let them meet the candidates and have a say, even when the final decision is a family one.
Where can you find candidates?
- Home care agencies
- Doctors and hospital discharge planners
- Aging life care professionals, through the Aging Life Care Association
- Your Area Agency on Aging, through the Eldercare Locator
Independent hires need more vetting from you. See Questions to Ask Before Hiring In-Home Care.
How do you vet a caregiver?
- Interview with real scenarios, such as “What would you do if…?”
- Check references and run a background check.
- Verify credentials where they apply.
- Observe a trial shift, and agree on a trial period.
- Ask about a backup plan when the caregiver is sick or unavailable.
Background checks have limits. They’re one tool, not a guarantee.
What if the caregiver is a family member?
Set expectations, boundaries, and compensation up front. Put the agreement in writing with an attorney, since it can affect taxes and Medicaid eligibility. Long-term care insurance can sometimes pay a family caregiver when a plan of care supports that. See Can Long-Term Care Insurance Pay a Family Member as a Caregiver? and How to Divide Caregiving Between Siblings.
How do you set it up for success?
- Put duties and the schedule in writing.
- Keep a shared communication log.
- Check in regularly, and review how it’s going.
- Line up a backup caregiver.
- Safeguard cash, cards, and important documents.
If you hire directly, you may become a household employer, with tax and insurance responsibilities. See IRS Publication 926 and talk with a tax advisor.
What are the red flags?
- Missed shifts or resistance to supervision
- Pressure for money or gifts
- The person receiving care expressing discomfort
- Unexplained changes in health, mood, or finances
If you suspect abuse or neglect, make sure the person is safe and contact your state’s Adult Protective Services. In an emergency, call 911.
How does insurance fit in?
A policy that pays a cash benefit lets you choose who provides care, while reimbursement policies may limit payment to licensed providers. The coverage we offer pays a cash benefit and can pay a family member when a plan of care supports that.
Staying Power is a licensed insurance agency that helps people plan how in-home care would be paid for.
Get started to see what care costs and how to fund it.
Frequently asked questions
Should I choose an agency or an independent caregiver?
Agencies handle screening, payroll, and backup coverage, usually at a higher rate. Independent caregivers can cost less but may make you a household employer and require more vetting from you.
How do I set up a trial period?
Agree on a trial period in advance, observe a shift, and review how it’s going at set points. Put the expectations in writing.
What should I do if I suspect a caregiver is mistreating someone?
Make sure the person is safe, and contact your state’s Adult Protective Services. In an emergency, call 911.
