Calling home care agencies can feel overwhelming, especially when you are also managing a parent's appointments, medications, and your own job. A short list of consistent questions makes the calls easier and makes the answers comparable. You don't need to ask every question on the first call. Licensing, insurance, scheduling minimums, and rates are a good start. Save the rest for an in-home assessment or a follow-up conversation.
Licensing and the agency itself
Start by confirming who you are dealing with.
- What type of Illinois license do you hold, and what is the license number?
- Are your caregivers your employees, or independent contractors?
- How long have you served families in this area?
- Which towns do you cover, and is my parent's home in your service area?
Insurance and protection
These questions protect your parent and your family.
- Do you carry liability insurance? Can you send a certificate of insurance?
- Do you carry workers' compensation for your caregivers?
- Are your caregivers bonded, or do you carry crime or theft coverage?
- What happens if something in the home is damaged or goes missing?
Caregivers, screening, and training
Find out who will actually be in the home.
- How do you screen caregivers before hiring? Do you run fingerprint background checks?
- What training do caregivers complete before their first visit, and each year after?
- Do you have caregivers experienced with memory loss, mobility limits, or other needs we have?
- Can we meet a caregiver before care begins?
- What do we do if the caregiver match isn't working?
Scheduling and backup coverage
Reliability matters as much as skill.
- What is your minimum visit length and minimum hours per week?
- How many different caregivers will usually be on my parent's schedule?
- If a caregiver calls in sick, who covers, and how will we be told?
- Who answers the phone after hours and on weekends?
- How much notice do you need to add, change, or cancel a visit?
Care plan and supervision
A written plan keeps everyone on the same page.
- Do you do an in-home assessment before starting? Is there a charge?
- Who writes the care plan, and how often is it reviewed?
- How do caregivers record what they did on each visit? Can family see it?
- Who supervises caregivers, and how often do supervisors check in?
Costs and billing
Get every number in writing.
- What is your hourly rate for the schedule we need?
- Are rates different for evenings, weekends, holidays, or overnight care?
- Do you offer live-in care? How is it defined and priced?
- Are there charges for mileage, errands, or the initial assessment?
- How often do you bill, and is there a deposit?
- What is your cancellation policy for the service agreement?
Communication
Know how you will stay informed.
- Who is our main contact at the agency?
- How will you tell us about changes in my parent's health or behavior?
- How do you handle a concern or complaint from the family?
How to compare the answers
After two or three calls, look for patterns. A licensed agency that answers clearly, puts rates and policies in writing, and explains how it covers missed shifts is usually a safer choice than one that is cheaper but vague. Price matters, but reliability and screening often matter more over months of care.
If you are still building a budget, the care cost calculator shows a monthly planning range for the hours you have in mind. For more background on what each answer means, read how to choose a licensed home care agency in Illinois.
When you are ready to hear from providers, you can request help. Your request is shared only with home care providers licensed in Illinois.