New Jersey Elder Care Home Care Checklist

The following list of questions should encompass most care questions that need to be asked when seeking NJ home care. It is meant as a guide to help one find good, quality, dependable New Jersey elder care when appropriate. (Download this checklist here).

Business/Services Provided

• How long has your company been in business?
• Does the company have a fully staffed office? ❍ Yes ❍ No
• Does the company have an automated telephone “time card” system to alert supervisors if a caregiver arrives late or leaves early? ❍ Yes ❍ No
• Is a personalized plan of care developed with me during the assessment? ❍ Yes ❍ No
• Is the New Jersey senior care plan reviewed and updated with regularity? ❍ Yes ❍ No
• Does this plan of care include goals and expected outcomes? ❍ Yes ❍ No
• Do you provide temporary as well as long term assistance? ❍ Yes ❍ No
• Do you provide special program for veterans and veterans’ widows? ❍ Yes ❍ No
• Does the company have the capacity to accommodate a full range of home care needs—from light duty companion care to heavy care, including end of life care? ❍ Yes ❍ No
• What happens if I need different tasks done each week?
• How many hours is a minimum shift?
• How many hours is a maximum shift?
• What are the pros and cons of hourly vs. live-in care?
• How soon could your care start?
• Is assistance on weekends available? ❍ Yes ❍ No
• Are there any restrictions against accompanying the client outside the home or driving a car? ❍ Yes ❍ No
• Are home care workers employees of the company (with benefits and insurance)? ❍ Yes ❍ No
• Or contractors (e.g., private individuals on a referral registry)? ❍ Yes ❍ No
• Is your company and its employees bonded and insured? ❍ Yes ❍ No
• Do you have proof of liability coverage? ❍ Yes ❍ No
• Is the company licensed by the state? ❍ Yes ❍ No
• How are caregivers assigned?
• Is/are the caregiver(s) available for emergencies and/or on short notice? ❍ Yes ❍ No
• Are they available on holidays? ❍ Yes ❍ No
• Will I be able to indicate preferences for the type of caregiver I would like? (For example, male/female, non-smoking, etc.) ❍ Yes ❍ No

Caregiver Qualifications (Training, Licensing, Background Checks)

• Are all your NJ home care workers licensed or certified? ❍ Yes ❍ No If not, what minimum qualifications do workers have?
• Do you screen your workers? ❍ Yes ❍ No If so, what type of background checking is done?
• What are the qualifications of the person who will do my initial assessment?
• Do caregivers receive a thorough orientation by a supervisor on safety issues, company procedures, and NJ senior care goals and standards before placement? ❍ Yes ❍ No
• Is/are the caregiver(s) experienced in any special services? ❍ Yes ❍ No

Service Quality

• Are workers supervised? ❍ Yes ❍ No If so, by whom?
• Is there a written care plan specifying the home care worker’s routine duties? ❍ Yes ❍ No If so, can the family have a copy? ❍ Yes ❍ No How often is the plan updated?
• Do the elder (and involved family members) have input into the client service plan? ❍ Yes ❍ No
• Do you arrange regular conversations with the family about the client’s case? ❍ Yes ❍ No
• Will a supervisor visit or call the client’s home? ❍ Yes ❍ No
• To whom can the client or family ask questions or make complaints?
• How do you ensure your clients’ confidentiality?
• How does the company follow up on/resolve problems or complaints?
• Can a different aide be requested, if there was a problem with the first one? ❍ Yes ❍ No
• Are NJ senior care workers available 24 hours, 7 days a week? ❍ Yes ❍ No
• Is there always someone available at your office to take a call? ❍ Yes ❍ No
• Can a replacement worker be called if the worker does not come or cannot complete a shift? ❍ Yes ❍ No

Financing/Payment

• Do you accept long term care insurance? ❍ Yes ❍ No
• Does the company pay the worker’s Social Security and taxes? ❍ Yes ❍ No
• What is the cost for overtime, if the worker stays late?
• When is payment due? (e.g. at the end of each visit? Weekly? Monthly?)
• Does payment go to the company? ❍ Yes ❍ No Or the home care worker directly? ❍ Yes ❍ No
• Are there any additional costs for travel time or extra services (e.g. doing laundry or errands)? ❍ Yes ❍ No
• Do you charge for the initial New Jersey elder care assessment? ❍ Yes ❍ No
• Do you charge any other upfront fees or administrative costs? ❍ Yes ❍ No
• Do you have a reassessment fee? ❍ Yes ❍ No
• What is the hourly or daily charge for one person?
• For a couple?
• Do you charge mileage to and from my home? ❍ Yes ❍ No
• Do you assist with billing my insurance company for home care? ❍ Yes ❍ No