What To Ask When Hiring An Agency:

1. Does the agency employ the caregivers or are they “independent contractors”? If the agency does not employ caregivers, will the IRS consider me to be a “household employer”? Will I need to withhold income and social security taxes?
   
2. Is the agency certified by the California Association for Health Services at Home (CAHSAH)?
   
3. Does the agency carry liability insurance?
   
4. Are the caregivers bonded? If so, by whom are they bonded?
   
5. What will happen if the caregiver gets hurt while working for me? Does the agency carry Worker’s Compensation insurance to protect me from being sued?
   
6. How much training do the agency’s caregivers receive? What training is available to them? What type of certifications do they have?
   
7. Are the agency’s caregivers supervised? Is a supervisor available 24/7 in case of an emergency?
   
8. What will happen if I don’t get along with this caregiver? How easily can she/he be replaced?
   
9. Who will take care of me if the caregiver is unable to work due to an emergency or illness?
   
10. Does the agency perform background checks before hiring a caregiver? And what type of background checks are done?
    
11. Has a national criminal background check been performed? Can I feel confident that the caregiver will not steal my valuables?
    
12. Does the agency perform random drug testing on its caregivers?
    
13. Will I be able to change the schedule as my needs change?

What To Ask When Hiring A Private Caregiver:

1. Can the caregiver provide at least five (5) personal and professional references?
   
2. Is the caregiver willing to submit a criminal history report from the California Department of Justice? (P.O. Box 903417, Sacramento, CA 94203-4170, ATTN: Records Review Unit)
   
3. Is the caregiver willing to provide a 5-year driving record from the California Department of Motor Vehicles?
   
   
4. Does the caregiver have yearly TB tests and can she/he provide the latest results
5. Who will take care of me if the caregiver is unable to work due to an emergency or illness?
   
6. Am I prepared to perform all the duties of an employer, including withholding and depositing income taxes, social security taxes, and other employer taxes?
7. Am I prepared to manage the caregiver by administering performance reviews and negotiating wages?
   
8. Does my homeowners insurance cover Worker’s Compensation should the household employee be injured on the job?
   
9. Am I prepared to perform background checks to ensure the safety of my home and loved ones?
   
10. Am I prepared to do this all over again if the caregiver I hire does not work out?