Questions to Ask a Home Care Agency Before You Hire Them — From a Care Manager’s Perspective

When families begin searching for in-home senior care in Seacoast NH, Eastern NH, or Central NH, the process can feel overwhelming. Whether your loved one lives in Dover, Portsmouth, Rye, Bedford, Concord, Newfields, Hampton Falls, New London, Nashua, Salem, or Londonderry, choosing the right home care agency is one of the most important decisions you’ll make.

As care managers, we’ve seen firsthand what happens when families ask the right questions — and when they don’t.

At Extended Family In-Home Senior Care, we believe educated families make confident decisions. Here are the key questions every family should ask a home care agency before hiring — and why they matter.

1. Are You Licensed, Insured, and Accredited in New Hampshire?

This may seem obvious, but not all agencies operate at the same standards.

In New Hampshire, reputable home care agencies should:

• Be properly licensed by the state
• Carry liability insurance
• Provide workers’ compensation coverage
• Follow state regulations for caregiver training and background checks

If an agency hesitates to answer this question clearly, that’s a red flag.

Families in Portsmouth, Concord, Nashua, and surrounding Eastern and Central NH communities deserve peace of mind knowing their loved one is protected legally and professionally.

2. How Do You Screen and Train Caregivers?

From a care manager’s perspective, this is one of the most important questions you can ask.

Quality agencies should:

• Conduct national and state background checks
• Verify references
• Confirm certifications (if applicable)
• Provide ongoing training

Ask specifically:

• How many hours of initial training do caregivers receive?
• Is dementia training required?
• Do you provide continuing education?

For seniors in Bedford, Londonderry, Salem, and New London, caregiver quality directly impacts safety, emotional well-being, and long-term health outcomes.

3. What Services Do You Provide — and What Don’t You Provide?

Not all home care is the same.

Some agencies provide:

• Personal care (bathing, dressing, grooming)
• Companion care
• Meal preparation
• Medication reminders
• Light housekeeping
• Transportation to appointments

Others may not offer specialized dementia care or mobility support.

Families in Dover, Rye, Hampton Falls, and Newfields often assume all agencies offer identical services — but they don’t. Clarifying scope of care upfront prevents frustration later.

4. How Do You Create and Update the Care Plan?

A care plan should never be “one size fits all.”

Ask:

• Is there an in-home assessment?
• Who develops the care plan?
• How often is it updated?
• Can family members participate?

At Extended Family In-Home Senior Care, we emphasize personalized care planning for seniors across Seacoast NH, Eastern NH, and Central NH, because needs evolve over time.

For example:

• A client in Concord recovering from surgery may initially need mobility assistance.
• A senior in Nashua living with early-stage dementia may require memory support that increases gradually.

Care plans should adapt accordingly.

5. How Do You Handle Caregiver Matching?

Compatibility matters.

The best agencies don’t just assign the next available caregiver. They consider:

• Personality
• Language preferences
• Cultural background
• Special medical needs
• Schedule consistency

Families in Portsmouth and Bedford often tell us that caregiver personality is just as important as skill level. Loneliness is common among seniors — companionship truly impacts quality of life.

Ask if you can request a change if the match doesn’t feel right. A good agency will prioritize fit without making you feel uncomfortable.

6. What Happens If My Caregiver Calls Out Sick?

This question reveals how organized an agency truly is.

Ask:

• Do you have backup caregivers available?
• How quickly can coverage be arranged?
• Will I be notified immediately?

In communities like Salem, Londonderry, and Hampton Falls, families often rely on scheduled care to maintain their own work commitments. A lack of backup planning can cause major disruptions.

Reliable agencies have structured contingency systems in place.

7. How Do You Communicate With Families?

Communication is everything — especially when adult children live out of state.

Ask:

• Do you provide care notes?
• Is there a family portal?
• Who is my main contact person?
• How quickly do you return calls?

Many families with loved ones in New London, Concord, and Dover live hours away. Clear communication ensures transparency and builds trust.

From a care manager’s perspective, proactive communication prevents small issues from becoming major problems.

8. What Are the Costs — and Are There Minimum Hour Requirements?

Understanding pricing upfront prevents financial stress.

Ask:

• What is the hourly rate?
• Are there weekend or holiday surcharges?
• Is there a minimum number of hours per visit?
• Are there contracts or long-term commitments?

Some agencies in Eastern and Central NH require 4-hour minimums. Others offer flexible scheduling.

Clarity helps families in Nashua, Portsmouth, and Bedford plan budgets realistically.

9. How Do You Ensure Quality and Supervision?

Even excellent caregivers need oversight.

Ask:

• Do supervisors conduct home visits?
• How often?
• Is there a registered nurse on staff?
• How are complaints handled?

In Seacoast NH and surrounding areas, agencies that regularly monitor care quality provide stronger long-term outcomes for seniors.

Quality assurance separates professional agencies from informal caregiving arrangements.

10. What Experience Do You Have With Dementia or Specialized Conditions?

If your loved one has Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, or other chronic conditions, experience matters.

Ask:

• Are caregivers trained in dementia care?
• Do you understand behavioral changes?
• Can you manage mobility equipment?

Families in Rye, Hampton Falls, and Newfields often seek in-home dementia care specifically to avoid premature placement in a facility.

Specialized training makes the difference between simply “being present” and providing meaningful, therapeutic support.

11. Are You Available 24/7?

Emergencies don’t follow business hours.

Ask:

• Is someone on call overnight?
• How do I reach you after hours?

Families in Salem, Nashua, Concord, and Dover feel more secure knowing a care manager is available when urgent situations arise.

12. Can You Provide Local References?

Reputable agencies should gladly provide testimonials or connect you with local families (with permission).

Look for agencies with strong reputations across:

• Seacoast NH
• Eastern NH
• Central NH
• Portsmouth
• Bedford
• Londonderry
• New London

Local reputation often reflects consistent, dependable service.

Red Flags to Watch For

From a care manager’s perspective, be cautious if an agency:

• Avoids clear pricing discussions
• Cannot explain caregiver training standards
• Lacks backup staffing plans
• Pushes long contracts without flexibility
• Is difficult to reach by phone

Families in Dover, Concord, and Nashua deserve transparency — not pressure.

Why Asking the Right Questions Matters

Hiring in-home senior care in New Hampshire is about more than assistance with daily tasks. It’s about preserving dignity, independence, and quality of life.

When families in Seacoast, Eastern, and Central NH take time to ask thoughtful questions, they:

• Reduce stress
• Improve care outcomes
• Avoid costly mistakes
• Build stronger partnerships

The right agency will welcome your questions. In fact, they’ll encourage them.

Our care managers understand that every family’s situation is unique. Whether your loved one needs companionship, post-hospital recovery support, dementia care, or full-time assistance, asking the right questions ensures the care relationship starts on a foundation of trust.

Choose Partnership Over Convenience

From a care manager’s perspective, the best home care relationships feel like partnerships — not transactions.

If you’re exploring in-home senior care in Seacoast NH, Eastern NH, or Central NH, take your time. Ask detailed questions. Trust your instincts.

Your loved one deserves more than help they deserve compassionate, professional support from a team that truly feels like extended family.