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Questions to Ask a Home Care Agency
What to ask about licensing, caregiver screening, backup visits and written terms in Palm Beach County.
5 min read · Updated October 2026
Choosing care can feel rushed, especially after a hospital stay or a change at home. Use these questions to compare agencies before agreeing to a schedule. Ask for specific answers about the tasks and hours your family needs.
1. Are you licensed by Florida's AHCA?
Florida licenses home care agencies through the Agency for Health Care Administration. Ask for the license number and check it. Care Connect at Home holds AHCA License #299996526.
2. Are caregivers your employees, or contractors?
Ask who employs the caregiver and who is responsible for payroll, insurance and any required workers’ compensation. If you hire privately or use a contractor arrangement, clarify your own responsibilities before starting.
3. How are caregivers screened?
- Level 2 background screening
- Verified references and work history
- Insured and bonded through the agency
- Ongoing training, not just an orientation
4. Who supervises the care?
Ask who writes and reviews the care plan, how concerns are reported and whom you contact outside office hours. Nurse oversight of non-medical care is not the same as providing clinical nursing visits.
5. What happens when a caregiver calls out?
Illness and car trouble happen. The question is whether the agency has a staffed backup plan or whether your family spends the morning making phone calls.
6. Can we meet the caregiver, and change them if it isn't a fit?
Ask how caregivers are matched to the person’s routine and preferences, and what happens if the match does not work. Care Connect at Home replaces the caregiver at no cost if the fit is not right.
7. What are the contract terms?
Look for no long-term contract, a clear minimum shift length, and the freedom to increase, reduce, pause or stop care as things change.
8. How quickly can care start?
Ask about current staffing and the assessment process. Care Connect at Home can typically begin care within 24 to 48 hours of a consultation, depending on the tasks, schedule and availability. Confirm the start date rather than assuming it is guaranteed.
Use the same questions with every agency, including Care Connect at Home. Compare the answers and written terms for the same tasks and schedule.
Written by Care Connect at Home. General information about non-medical support, not medical advice. Confirm clinical needs with a qualified professional.
Common questions
Is a licensed agency more expensive than hiring privately?
The hourly rate is usually higher, but the agency carries insurance, screening, payroll taxes, supervision and backup coverage. Hiring privately moves those costs and risks onto the family.
How do I check a Florida home care licence?
Florida's Agency for Health Care Administration publishes licensed providers. Ask the agency for its license number and verify it before you sign anything.
Talk with a care coordinator
A free in-home consultation, an exact quote in writing, and no obligation to start.