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Who are you caring for?
Which best describes their mobility?
How well are they maintaining their hygiene?
How are they managing their medications?
Does their living environment pose any safety concerns?
Fall risks, spoiled food, or other threats to wellbeing
Are they experiencing any memory loss?
Which best describes your loved one's social life?
Acknowledgment of Disclosures and Authorization
By proceeding, I agree that I understand the following disclosures:
I. How We Work in Washington. Based on your preferences, we provide you with information about one or more of our contracted senior living providers ("Participating Communities") and provide your Senior Living Care Information to Participating Communities. The Participating Communities may contact you directly regarding their services. APFM does not endorse or recommend any provider. It is your sole responsibility to select the appropriate care for yourself or your loved one. We work with both you and the Participating Communities in your search. We do not permit our Advisors to have an ownership interest in Participating Communities.
II. How We Are Paid. We do not charge you any fee – we are paid by the Participating Communities. Some Participating Communities pay us a percentage of the first month's standard rate for the rent and care services you select. We invoice these fees after the senior moves in.
III. When We Tour. APFM tours certain Participating Communities in Washington (typically more in metropolitan areas than in rural areas.) During the 12 month period prior to December 31, 2017, we toured 86.2% of Participating Communities with capacity for 20 or more residents.
IV. No Obligation or Commitment. You have no obligation to use or to continue to use our services. Because you pay no fee to us, you will never need to ask for a refund.
V. Complaints. Please contact our Family Feedback Line at (866) 584-7340 or ConsumerFeedback@aplaceformom.com to report any complaint. Consumers have many avenues to address a dispute with any referral service company, including the right to file a complaint with the Attorney General's office at: Consumer Protection Division, 800 5th Avenue, Ste. 2000, Seattle, 98104 or 800-551-4636.
VI. No Waiver of Your Rights. APFM does not (and may not) require or even ask consumers seeking senior housing or care services in Washington State to sign waivers of liability for losses of personal property or injury or to sign waivers of any rights established under law.I agree that: A.I authorize A Place For Mom ("APFM") to collect certain personal and contact detail information, as well as relevant health care information about me or from me about the senior family member or relative I am assisting ("Senior Living Care Information"). B.APFM may provide information to me electronically. My electronic signature on agreements and documents has the same effect as if I signed them in ink. C.APFM may send all communications to me electronically via e-mail or by access to an APFM web site. D.If I want a paper copy, I can print a copy of the Disclosures or download the Disclosures for my records. E.This E-Sign Acknowledgement and Authorization applies to these Disclosures and all future Disclosures related to APFM's services, unless I revoke my authorization. You may revoke this authorization in writing at any time (except where we have already disclosed information before receiving your revocation.) This authorization will expire after one year. F.You consent to APFM's reaching out to you using a phone system than can auto-dial numbers (we miss rotary phones, too!), but this consent is not required to use our service.
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I acknowledge and authorize
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I consent to the collection of my consumer health data.*
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I consent to the sharing of my consumer health data with qualified home care agencies.*
*If I am consenting on behalf of someone else, I have the proper authorization to do so. By clicking Get My Results, you agree to our Privacy Policy. You also consent to receive calls and texts, which may be autodialed, from us and our customer communities. Your consent is not a condition to using our service. Please visit our Terms of Use. for information about our privacy practices.
Mostly Independent
Your loved one may not require home care or assisted living services at this time. However, continue to monitor their condition for changes and consider occasional in-home care services for help as needed.
Remember, this assessment is not a substitute for professional advice.
Share a few details and we will match you to trusted home care in your area:
I had better experiences with the locally owned (non national franchised ones.)
CNA's will work for multiple agencies at a time. Once I realized the CNA's were registered with multiple agencies I set up accounts with multiple agencies to ensure coverage.
I asked the CNA's when they were at the house what all their texts were about. They would get beeped about shifts to pick up at multiple agencies.
I found requesting licensed CNA's did a better job with Mom. The unskilled home aides were not as good with Mom. The CNA's let Mom function to her maximum level. The unskilled home aides wanted to do everything for Mom which frustrated Mom.
The national franchised branch required $2500 up front money which was an irritant. The locally owned agencies did not require up front money.
Home health care is under supervision of a doctor and is often selected by the hospital on discharge or the rehab for a set period of time to help a patient acclimate after a procedure or illness. You can request your own preferred home health agency. They have a nurse who visits once a week usually and an aide to help with baths. PT and OT and some times Speech therapy is ordered. The nurse may come more often for wound care. This is paid by medicare. this care can also be extended by a doctor’s order for the home bound.
What Geaton has listed is hiring home care from an agency. No doctors order needed.
Home Health Care providers are listed and rated on the Medicare website.
Here is a guide to the star rating system through Medicare.
Here is a link to the compare service Medicare offers. Put in your zip code and see which ones are in your area. Or put in the name of one you are considering.
There are people who provide services as independent contractors. You assume more risk and responsibility for this type provider. . They are generally less expensive. Again, more details on your particular situation is helpful.
Here is a thorough list of questions aggregated from ChatGPT5.3...
The agency matters, but the individual caregiver often matters even more. Focus on both the agency's quality and its experience with cognitive impairment if this is your LO's main issue.
Questions to Ask the Agency 1. Are you licensed, bonded, and insured? Ask specifically:
Are all caregivers covered by your liability insurance? Are caregivers employees or independent contractors? Do you carry workers' compensation insurance? Employee-based agencies generally provide more oversight and protection than agencies that simply refer independent contractors.
2. What background checks do you perform? Ask whether they conduct:
Criminal background checks Driving record checks (if transportation is involved) Reference checks Drug screening Ask how often checks are repeated.
3. How are caregivers trained? Especially if your loved one has dementia, ask:
What dementia-specific training do caregivers receive? How do they handle confusion, agitation, wandering, or refusal of care? How are new caregivers supervised? A good agency should answer confidently and specifically.
Questions About Staffing 4. What happens if my regular aide calls in sick? This is critical. Ask:
Is there guaranteed backup coverage? How quickly can a replacement be sent? Will I be notified? Many families discover this problem only after they're depending on the service.
5. Can we meet the caregiver before committing? Request:
An in-person introduction A trial shift The option to request a different caregiver A quality agency expects this.
6. How much turnover do you have? High turnover can be difficult for seniors, especially those with dementia. Ask:
How long has the average caregiver been with your agency? How long has the proposed caregiver been employed? Questions About Dementia Care
7. Have your caregivers worked with dementia clients? Look for experience with:
Repetitive questions Sundowning Wandering Delusions or paranoia Fall prevention Ask for examples.
8. How do you document changes? A good aide may be the first person to notice:
Increased confusion Weight loss Medication issues New falls Infection symptoms Ask how observations are communicated to family.
Ask About Supervision 9. How often does a supervisor check in? Good agencies provide:
Regular supervisory visits Phone check-ins Care plan updates Avoid agencies that place a caregiver and disappear. During the First Few Visits Watch for whether the caregiver: Good Signs
Speaks respectfully to your loved one Maintains eye contact Encourages independence Notices safety hazards Shows patience Arrives on time Red Flags
Constant phone use Appears rushed Talks over the senior Doesn't engage Complains frequently Leaves tasks unfinished
Ask for References Request:
References from current clients References from families caring for someone with dementia Then ask:
Were caregivers reliable? How were problems handled? Would you hire them again?
Cost Questions Make sure you understand:
Hourly rate Minimum visit length Weekend rates Holiday rates Mileage charges Overnight rates Get everything in writing. A Simple Scoring Sheet Rate each agency from 1–5: CategoryScoreLicensing/InsuranceDementia ExperienceBackup CoverageCaregiver QualityResponsivenessReferencesCommunicationCost TransparencyOverall Comfort Level Sometimes the agency with the lowest price ends up being the most expensive because of turnover, missed shifts, or poor communication.
Place the highest weight on:
Dementia experience. Reliability of backup coverage. Consistency of caregivers. Fall-risk awareness. Communication with family.
Those five factors will likely matter more than saving a few dollars per hour.
By proceeding, I agree that I understand the following disclosures:
I. How We Work in Washington.
Based on your preferences, we provide you with information about one or more of our contracted senior living providers ("Participating Communities") and provide your Senior Living Care Information to Participating Communities. The Participating Communities may contact you directly regarding their services.
APFM does not endorse or recommend any provider. It is your sole responsibility to select the appropriate care for yourself or your loved one. We work with both you and the Participating Communities in your search. We do not permit our Advisors to have an ownership interest in Participating Communities.
II. How We Are Paid.
We do not charge you any fee – we are paid by the Participating Communities. Some Participating Communities pay us a percentage of the first month's standard rate for the rent and care services you select. We invoice these fees after the senior moves in.
III. When We Tour.
APFM tours certain Participating Communities in Washington (typically more in metropolitan areas than in rural areas.) During the 12 month period prior to December 31, 2017, we toured 86.2% of Participating Communities with capacity for 20 or more residents.
IV. No Obligation or Commitment.
You have no obligation to use or to continue to use our services. Because you pay no fee to us, you will never need to ask for a refund.
V. Complaints.
Please contact our Family Feedback Line at (866) 584-7340 or ConsumerFeedback@aplaceformom.com to report any complaint. Consumers have many avenues to address a dispute with any referral service company, including the right to file a complaint with the Attorney General's office at: Consumer Protection Division, 800 5th Avenue, Ste. 2000, Seattle, 98104 or 800-551-4636.
VI. No Waiver of Your Rights.
APFM does not (and may not) require or even ask consumers seeking senior housing or care services in Washington State to sign waivers of liability for losses of personal property or injury or to sign waivers of any rights established under law.
I agree that:
A.
I authorize A Place For Mom ("APFM") to collect certain personal and contact detail information, as well as relevant health care information about me or from me about the senior family member or relative I am assisting ("Senior Living Care Information").
B.
APFM may provide information to me electronically. My electronic signature on agreements and documents has the same effect as if I signed them in ink.
C.
APFM may send all communications to me electronically via e-mail or by access to an APFM web site.
D.
If I want a paper copy, I can print a copy of the Disclosures or download the Disclosures for my records.
E.
This E-Sign Acknowledgement and Authorization applies to these Disclosures and all future Disclosures related to APFM's services, unless I revoke my authorization. You may revoke this authorization in writing at any time (except where we have already disclosed information before receiving your revocation.) This authorization will expire after one year.
F.
You consent to APFM's reaching out to you using a phone system than can auto-dial numbers (we miss rotary phones, too!), but this consent is not required to use our service.
I had better experiences with the locally owned (non national franchised ones.)
CNA's will work for multiple agencies at a time. Once I realized the CNA's were registered with multiple agencies I set up accounts with multiple agencies to ensure coverage.
I asked the CNA's when they were at the house what all their texts were about. They would get beeped about shifts to pick up at multiple agencies.
I found requesting licensed CNA's did a better job with Mom. The unskilled home aides were not as good with Mom. The CNA's let Mom function to her maximum level. The unskilled home aides wanted to do everything for Mom which frustrated Mom.
The national franchised branch required $2500 up front money which was an irritant. The locally owned agencies did not require up front money.
https://www.agingcare.com/articles/what-is-home-health-care-479646.htm
Home health care is under supervision of a doctor and is often selected by the hospital on discharge or the rehab for a set period of time to help a patient acclimate after a procedure or illness. You can request your own preferred home health agency. They have a nurse who visits once a week usually and an aide to help with baths. PT and OT and some times Speech therapy is ordered. The nurse may come more often for wound care. This is paid by medicare. this care can also be extended by a doctor’s order for the home bound.
What Geaton has listed is hiring home care from an agency. No doctors order needed.
Home Health Care providers are listed and rated on the Medicare website.
Here is a guide to the star rating system through Medicare.
https://www.cms.gov/medicare/quality/home-health/home-health-star-ratings
Here is a link to the compare service Medicare offers. Put in your zip code and see which ones are in your area. Or put in the name of one you are considering.
https://www.medicare.gov/care-compare/?providerType=HomeHealth
This is a broad subject so the more specific your question the more helpful we might be able to be. 🤗
The agency matters, but the individual caregiver often matters even more. Focus on both the agency's quality and its experience with cognitive impairment if this is your LO's main issue.
Questions to Ask the Agency
1. Are you licensed, bonded, and insured?
Ask specifically:
Are all caregivers covered by your liability insurance?
Are caregivers employees or independent contractors?
Do you carry workers' compensation insurance?
Employee-based agencies generally provide more oversight and protection than agencies that simply refer independent contractors.
2. What background checks do you perform?
Ask whether they conduct:
Criminal background checks
Driving record checks (if transportation is involved)
Reference checks
Drug screening
Ask how often checks are repeated.
3. How are caregivers trained?
Especially if your loved one has dementia, ask:
What dementia-specific training do caregivers receive?
How do they handle confusion, agitation, wandering, or refusal of care?
How are new caregivers supervised?
A good agency should answer confidently and specifically.
Questions About Staffing
4. What happens if my regular aide calls in sick?
This is critical.
Ask:
Is there guaranteed backup coverage?
How quickly can a replacement be sent?
Will I be notified?
Many families discover this problem only after they're depending on the service.
5. Can we meet the caregiver before committing?
Request:
An in-person introduction
A trial shift
The option to request a different caregiver
A quality agency expects this.
6. How much turnover do you have?
High turnover can be difficult for seniors, especially those with dementia.
Ask:
How long has the average caregiver been with your agency?
How long has the proposed caregiver been employed?
Questions About Dementia Care
7. Have your caregivers worked with dementia clients?
Look for experience with:
Repetitive questions
Sundowning
Wandering
Delusions or paranoia
Fall prevention
Ask for examples.
8. How do you document changes?
A good aide may be the first person to notice:
Increased confusion
Weight loss
Medication issues
New falls
Infection symptoms
Ask how observations are communicated to family.
Ask About Supervision
9. How often does a supervisor check in?
Good agencies provide:
Regular supervisory visits
Phone check-ins
Care plan updates
Avoid agencies that place a caregiver and disappear.
During the First Few Visits
Watch for whether the caregiver:
Good Signs
Speaks respectfully to your loved one
Maintains eye contact
Encourages independence
Notices safety hazards
Shows patience
Arrives on time
Red Flags
Constant phone use
Appears rushed
Talks over the senior
Doesn't engage
Complains frequently
Leaves tasks unfinished
Ask for References
Request:
References from current clients
References from families caring for someone with dementia
Then ask:
Were caregivers reliable?
How were problems handled?
Would you hire them again?
Cost Questions
Make sure you understand:
Hourly rate
Minimum visit length
Weekend rates
Holiday rates
Mileage charges
Overnight rates
Get everything in writing.
A Simple Scoring Sheet
Rate each agency from 1–5:
CategoryScoreLicensing/InsuranceDementia ExperienceBackup CoverageCaregiver QualityResponsivenessReferencesCommunicationCost TransparencyOverall Comfort Level
Sometimes the agency with the lowest price ends up being the most expensive because of turnover, missed shifts, or poor communication.
Place the highest weight on:
Dementia experience.
Reliability of backup coverage.
Consistency of caregivers.
Fall-risk awareness.
Communication with family.
Those five factors will likely matter more than saving a few dollars per hour.