Questions to Ask Before You Hire a Home Care Agency in Palm Beach County
The questions that separate a well-run agency from a risky one — licensing, insurance, backup coverage, supervision and contracts.
5 min read · Updated September 2026
Hiring care for a parent usually happens under pressure — after a fall, a diagnosis, or a hospital discharge with a date on it. The families who end up happiest are the ones who asked a handful of unglamorous questions before they signed anything. Here they are.
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?
This matters more than it sounds. When caregivers are employees, the agency carries the insurance, workers' compensation, payroll taxes and liability. With contractors — or a caregiver hired privately — that exposure can land on the family.
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 whether a registered nurse writes and reviews the care plan, how often someone from the office visits the home, and who you call at 9pm on a Sunday. An agency that can't answer the last one clearly is telling you something.
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?
Personality fit is not a luxury — it determines whether your parent actually accepts help. A good agency matches on temperament and routine, and replaces the caregiver at no cost if the fit is wrong.
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?
In Palm Beach County, care can often begin within 24 to 48 hours of the consultation, and sooner after a hospital or rehab discharge. Ask directly — vague answers usually mean staffing problems.
Bring this list to every agency you speak with, including us. The answers will sort them out quickly.
Frequently asked
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 it through with us
A free in-home consultation, an exact quote in writing, and no obligation to start.