Choosing a home care agency is a decision about trust. Someone will be in your parent's home, often when no family member is there. The good news is that Illinois has a licensing system for agencies that provide non-medical help at home, and there are a handful of practical things you can check that separate careful agencies from careless ones.
1. Confirm the agency is licensed in Illinois
In Illinois, agencies that provide non-medical services at home, such as help with bathing, dressing, meals, and housekeeping, are licensed as home services agencies by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH). Agencies that provide skilled nursing or therapy are licensed separately as home health or home nursing agencies.
- Ask the agency for its IDPH license type and number.
- Check that the license is current using the state's public lookup tools.
- Make sure the license matches the kind of help your parent needs.
Licensing rules can change. Treat this page as a starting point and confirm current requirements with IDPH or the agency. SecureElder does not provide legal advice.
Hiring a private individual directly, or through a website that only matches you with independent caregivers, is a different arrangement. In those cases you may become the employer, responsible for screening, taxes, and insurance. Ask clearly which model you are dealing with.
2. Ask about insurance and bonding
A licensed agency should employ its caregivers and carry insurance that protects your family if something goes wrong. Ask for:
- General and professional liability insurance, which covers injuries or damage connected to the agency's work.
- Workers' compensation, so that if a caregiver is hurt in your parent's home, your family is not left handling it.
- A bond or crime coverage, which can help in cases of theft.
It is reasonable to ask for a certificate of insurance. A careful agency will not be offended.
3. Understand caregiver screening and training
Illinois requires background checks for many health care workers, including those employed by home services agencies, and workers are generally listed on the state's Health Care Worker Registry. Illinois also sets training requirements for home services workers, including initial and annual training. Ask each agency to describe, in plain terms:
- How caregivers are screened before hire, including fingerprint background checks.
- What training caregivers receive before their first visit, and every year after.
- Whether caregivers have experience with dementia, mobility, or other specific needs.
- How caregivers are supervised once they start working.
4. Ask how backup staffing works
Caregivers get sick, take vacations, and sometimes leave their jobs. One of the most important differences between agencies is what happens on those days. Ask:
- If our regular caregiver can't come, who covers, and how much notice do we get?
- How many caregivers will typically rotate through my parent's schedule?
- Who do we call after hours or on weekends?
- Can we ask for a different caregiver if the match is not working?
5. Look closely at the care plan
A good agency starts with an assessment, often in the home, and writes a care plan. The plan should list the tasks to be done, the schedule, any safety concerns, and how the plan will be updated. Ask who writes it, how often it is reviewed, and how family members are kept informed. If your parent's needs change, the plan should change too.
6. Read the service agreement
Before signing, read the agreement for rates, minimum hours, billing schedule, cancellation notice, and any extra charges for evenings, weekends, holidays, or mileage. Our Naperville home care cost guide explains what typically drives price, and the care cost calculator gives a planning range.
Warning signs
- Unable or unwilling to share a license number or proof of insurance.
- Pressure to sign quickly or pay large amounts up front.
- Vague answers about who will actually show up and how they were screened.
- No clear way to reach someone when a caregiver doesn't arrive.
Bring a checklist
It helps to ask every agency the same questions so you can compare answers side by side. Our printable checklist of questions is built for exactly that. When you are ready, you can request help and SecureElder will share your request only with home care providers licensed in Illinois.