--- title: "How to Choose a Home Care Agency: Questions to Ask" description: "How to choose a home care agency: the questions to ask about caregivers, screening, supervision, backup, pricing and contracts, plus red flags." url: https://seniortransitionassistance.com/help/care-at-home/how-to-choose-a-home-care-agency/ updated: 2026-10-09 site: Senior Transition Assistance --- Care at home # How to choose a home care agency The right agency sends reliable, kind caregivers and handles the rest. Here's how to compare agencies before you let someone into your parent's home. Talk it through with a person[ (800) 614-8388 ](tel:+18006148388) Free. We listen, explain your options, and introduce you to a few that fit. You decide. Quick answer Choose a home care agency by asking how it screens, trains and supervises caregivers, how it handles missed shifts and backup, whether caregivers are employees, what it charges (the 2025 median was $34 an hour in Kansas and $33 in Missouri), and what the contract requires. Interview two or three agencies, check references, and meet the caregiver first. [(800) 614-8388](tel:+18006148388) and we'll help you find agencies near you. **Last updated October 9, 2026** Costs are published medians or typical ranges with a named source, never quotes. Every community and agency prices differently. **On this page** 1. [ Questions about caregivers](#g-questions-about-caregivers) 2. [Questions about supervision and backup](#g-questions-about-supervision-and-backup) 3. [Questions about cost and contract](#g-questions-about-cost-and-contract) 4. [Check before you sign](#g-check-before-you-sign) 5. [Red flags](#g-red-flags) 6. [Questions](#g-faq) ## Questions about caregivers - How do you screen caregivers? Background checks? References? - What training do they get, including for dementia? - Are caregivers your employees, or independent contractors? - Can we meet the caregiver before care starts? - Can we ask for a different caregiver? - How do you keep the same caregivers on a schedule? ## Questions about supervision and backup - Who supervises caregivers, and how often do they visit? - What happens if a caregiver is sick or late? - How do caregivers record care and report changes? - Who do we call after hours? ## Questions about cost and contract - What is the hourly rate? Does it change on nights, weekends or holidays? - Is there a minimum number of hours per visit or week? - What are the deposit, billing and cancellation rules? - Do you work with long-term care insurance, VA or Medicaid programs? - Is there a care plan in writing? ## Check before you sign - Ask whether the agency holds any state license or certification that applies. - Ask for references from current clients. - Ask about insurance and bonding. - For Medicare home health agencies, look them up on Medicare Care Compare. ## Red flags - Can't explain screening or training clearly. - Pressure to sign a long contract. - No backup plan for missed shifts. - Vague or changing prices. ### Want help finding an agency? We'll introduce you to home care agencies near Kansas City that fit your needs. Free. [ (800) 614-8388 ](tel:+18006148388)[Have us call you](#g-form) ## Questions families ask ### How much does a home care agency charge? The 2025 median was $34 an hour in Kansas and $33 in Missouri (CareScout Cost of Care Survey 2025). Agencies vary. ### Is it better to hire through an agency or privately? Agencies handle screening, payroll and backup; private hires may cost less but you take on those jobs. See [finding a caregiver](https://seniortransitionassistance.com/help/care-at-home/finding-a-caregiver/). ### What should a home care contract include? Rates, minimum hours, billing, cancellation terms and a written care plan. ### Can we change caregivers? Most agencies will. Ask before signing. ## Sources - [CareScout Cost of Care Survey 2025, Median Cost Data Tables (survey July to November 2025; median cost data tables, published March 2026)](https://pro.genworth.com/riiproweb/productinfo/pdf/282102.pdf) - [Medicare.gov Care Compare (nursing homes, home health agencies, hospice)](https://www.medicare.gov/care-compare/) ## Related guides - [Care at home](https://seniortransitionassistance.com/help/care-at-home/) - [In-home care](https://seniortransitionassistance.com/help/care-at-home/in-home-care/) - [Finding a caregiver](https://seniortransitionassistance.com/help/care-at-home/finding-a-caregiver/) - [In-home care costs](https://seniortransitionassistance.com/costs/in-home-care/) - [Home care in Kansas City](https://seniortransitionassistance.com/locations/missouri/kansas-city/home-care/) - [PACE](https://seniortransitionassistance.com/help/pace-program/) - [Aging in place](https://seniortransitionassistance.com/help/care-at-home/aging-in-place/) - [Home care vs. home health](https://seniortransitionassistance.com/help/care-at-home/home-care-vs-home-health/) - [Dementia home care](https://seniortransitionassistance.com/help/care-at-home/dementia-home-care/) --- Canonical page: https://seniortransitionassistance.com/help/care-at-home/how-to-choose-a-home-care-agency/