A family guide to home care
Practical checklists and plain-language answers for families deciding what's next for a parent or spouse. Use them on your own, or bring them to your complimentary assessment and we'll work through them together.
Signs your loved one may need help
If you notice two or more of these, it's worth a conversation, with your loved one, their doctor, and with us.
- Missed meals, spoiled food in the fridge, or weight loss
- Unopened mail, unpaid bills or missed medications
- A recent fall, or bruises they can't explain
- Less attention to bathing, grooming or clean clothes
- A home that used to be tidy is now cluttered or unsafe
- Pulling away from friends, church or hobbies
- Getting lost, repeating questions or forgetting appointments
- A recent hospital stay or new diagnosis
- A family caregiver who is worn out
The 10-point home care planning checklist
Work through these before you call any agency. Your answers become the start of a care plan.
Care needs
List what needs to be done in a usual day, from waking up until bedtime, including when meals, naps and activities happen.
Hands-on care
How much hands-on personal care is needed versus companion care? If companionship matters most, list the things your loved one enjoys doing.
Transportation
Will someone need to drive to doctor visits and activities? Decide whose car will be used and confirm the caregiver's auto insurance is active. Your city's Department on Aging may also offer senior transportation.
Memory loss
Is there memory loss, and has the type been diagnosed (Alzheimer's, vascular, Lewy body, frontotemporal or another)? Knowing the type helps the agency assign a caregiver with the right training.
Language
Does your loved one need a caregiver who speaks a particular language?
Hours
How many hours a day are needed? Start with the minimum that covers the essential tasks. A good agency lets you adjust after the first week.
Diet
Are there special cooking requirements or food allergies? How will groceries be bought or delivered?
Skilled needs
Is there anything that needs a licensed professional, such as wound care or a feeding tube? Share this up front so the right provider handles it.
Medications
How are medications managed today, and are they being taken correctly? Have a current list ready.
Care management
Would a care manager help? They coordinate refills, appointments and services, and guide long-term care decisions alongside the family.
Home care, home health or hospice?
Families often hear these terms in the same week. Here's how they differ.
| Question | Home careWhat we provide | Home health | Hospice |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | Help with daily living: bathing, meals, mobility, companionship | Skilled nursing and therapy at home, ordered by a doctor | Comfort care and support for a person with a terminal illness and their family |
| Who provides it | Home Care Aides employed by a licensed Home Care Organization | Nurses and therapists from a licensed home health agency | A hospice team: nurse, aide, social worker, chaplain and physician |
| Doctor's order needed? | No | Yes | Yes, a physician certifies eligibility |
| How often | A few hours a week up to 24/7 live-in | Short, scheduled visits for a limited time | Regular visits plus on-call support, for as long as the person qualifies |
| Usually paid by | Private pay, long-term care insurance, VA benefits | Medicare or health insurance, when criteria are met | Medicare Hospice Benefit, Medi-Cal or private insurance |
These services work well together. Home care often fills the hours between home health or hospice visits.
Home safety & fall prevention checklist
Falls are a leading cause of injury for older adults, and many happen at home. A walk-through with this list makes a big difference. We look at home safety during every assessment.
Floors & walkways
- Clear clutter, cords and loose throw rugs from walking paths
- Use non-slip backing on any rugs that stay
- Keep furniture arranged so there's a clear path through every room
Bathroom
- Install grab bars by the toilet and in the tub or shower
- Add a non-slip mat, a shower chair and a hand-held shower head
- Set the water heater to 120°F or lower to prevent burns
Lighting & stairs
- Bright lights at the top and bottom of stairs
- Night-lights from the bedroom to the bathroom
- Sturdy handrails on both sides of every staircase
Kitchen & everyday items
- Keep everyday items between waist and shoulder height
- No step stools; ask for help reaching high shelves
- Check that the stove has an automatic shut-off or is supervised
Medications
- Use a weekly pill organizer
- Keep a current medication list and review it with the doctor
- Dispose of expired or discontinued medications safely
Emergencies
- Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
- Post emergency numbers by the phone
- Consider a medical alert pendant or watch
Choosing a safe, quality agency
- The agency holds a current California Home Care Organization (HCO) license. Ours is HCO #304700251. You can verify any license with the Home Care Services Bureau.
- Caregivers are registered Home Care Aides who passed a Live Scan background check.
- You get a written care plan and a named case manager you can reach.
- The agency employs its caregivers and handles payroll taxes and insurance, so your family isn't the employer.
- There's a clear plan for what happens if a caregiver is sick or isn't the right fit.
Helpful links
- CA Home Care Services BureauVerify a Home Care Organization or Aide
- VA Aid & AttendanceBenefits for veterans and surviving spouses
- Alzheimer's AssociationSupport and a 24/7 helpline: 800-272-3900
- National Institute on AgingCaregiving guides from the NIH
- Orange County Office on AgingLocal senior services and information
- LA County Aging & DisabilitiesLocal senior services and programs
- Family Caregiver AllianceSupport and education for family caregivers
- Home Care Association of AmericaIndustry association for home care
Complimentary in-home assessment
Let's talk about what your family needs.
One call gets you a care coordinator, not a call center. We'll listen, answer your questions, and set up a complimentary visit to build a care plan.
(714) 770-0608Request your complimentary in-home assessment
Tell us a little about your situation. A care coordinator will call you back.