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How to Hire an In-Home Caregiver: 6 Key Steps

17 minute readLast updated July 3, 2025
Written by Kevin Ryan
fact checkedby
Marlena Gates
Reviewed by Maureen Bradley, senior care expert and former community directorMaureen Bradley, a specialist with A Place for Mom, has advised families on senior care for 20 years.
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The first step to hiring an in-home caregiver is to understand your loved one’s care needs and budget. Next, decide whether you’ll hire directly or work with an agency. Then, interview candidates, create a contract, and develop a care plan. The last step is ongoing: regularly evaluate whether and how well your loved one’s needs continue to be met, and communicate any needed changes with the caregiver.

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Key Takeaways

  1. The first step to hiring an in-home caregiver is to identify your loved one’s needs, which can help you determine a budget.
  2. In-home caregivers are usually independent or work for an agency, which affects the hiring process, cost, and ongoing management.
  3. Using a home care agency typically reduces your personal liability because agencies are regulated and required to be licensed and insured.
  4. Successful caregiving-employer relationships require ongoing attention and communication to ensure your loved one’s needs are met.

1. Determine needs and budget

The first step in hiring an in-home caregiver is knowing what you’re looking for. Take stock of your loved one’s daily needs and make a detailed list of the tasks they require help with. The more specific your list is, the easier it will be to find home care that meets the need.

Home care offers opportunities for personalization, explains Lori Eberly, a consultant for A Place for Mom and former owner-operator of a home care franchise. From part-time companionship to 24/7 assistance, in-home care aides provide different services based on each family’s unique needs.

To help determine your loved one’s care needs, consider the following questions:

  • Does your loved one need help with activities of daily living (ADLs)? If so, which ones? Needing assistance with ADLs is a major sign it’s time for help at home. Some seniors who’ve chosen to age in place only require help with a few daily activities, such as dressing, bathing, and meal prep. Others may need full-time assistance using the restroom, eating, and drinking.
  • Do they need transportation? If your aging parent can’t drive, they may require help getting to and from doctor’s appointments, family visits, events, and activities.
  • Can your loved one move independently? If they have impaired mobility, your relative will need a caregiver who can safely assist with transfers and manage mobility aids.
  • Do they need help with housekeeping? If so, which tasks should be completed? Does your aging loved one just want help with basic tasks, like laundry, or are they looking for an aide who will perform all household chores? Take special note of all housekeeping preferences and needs.
  • Does your loved one have pets to care for? It’s important to notify home care aides and agencies about pets, due to possible allergies and phobias. You should also clarify your expectations for pet care.
  • Do they need companionship? If your aging relative is independent but experiencing loneliness or isolation, home care can be a way to increase social interaction. If their primary need is companionship, include your loved one when interviewing potential care providers.
  • Do they need medical care? Home care aides generally don’t have nursing degrees and aren’t able to provide injections, wound care, or other medical assistance. If your loved one has a chronic condition or requires medical care, consider hiring a home health nurse.

Cost of hiring an in-home caregiver

Knowing your loved one’s needs will also help you estimate how much in-home care will cost, which is typically charged by the hour. While rates vary from state to state, the national median cost for a nonmedical in-home caregiver is $33 per hour.[01] If you hire a home health nurse, the cost will vary depending on the nurse’s education and experience.

2. Do you want to hire a caregiver directly or work with an agency?

Agencies simplify the process by taking care of administrative tasks such as background checks, payroll, and scheduling. Families who hire a private caregiver act as the caregiver’s employer and are responsible for all hiring and management tasks.

Hiring a caregiver directly

Families often find independent caregivers through personal connections, staffing services, and private registries. Hiring an independent caregiver may give you more control over personality and schedule, but it can also add an extra level of responsibility and present some risk and liability.

Writing a job description for a caregiver

Agencies take care of all caregiver hiring tasks, but if your family decides to hire a private caregiver, writing a job description will help you communicate what you’re looking for in a caregiver. Consider including the following topics and requirements in your job description:

  • Certification and licenses. Would you like a caregiver to be a certified nursing assistant (CNA), have a homemaker certification, CPR certification, etc.?
  • Experience. Do you prefer an in-home caregiver who has five, 10, or even more years of experience in home care? Do they need experience in certain forms of care, like mobility assistance or dementia care?
  • Housekeeping. What tasks need to be completed? If meal preparation is requested, what types of food can they cook? Are there any dietary concerns to address?
  • Mobility assistance. Can the caregiver provide mobility assistance?
  • Vehicle operation. Will the caregiver be using their car or yours? Will you provide mileage reimbursement?
  • Wages. How much will you pay?
  • Work schedule. Do you have specific hours or times of day that the caregiver is required to be present?

You may want to consult a local attorney as you draft your job description to learn more about legal requirements, rules, and local or state laws.

Working with a home care agency

When choosing a home care agency, it’s important to leverage your local network of trusted sources, friends, and family for referrals. Additionally, A Place for Mom’s Senior Living Advisors can provide you with a list of local agencies that fit your loved one’s budget and care needs. You can then speak with home care agency representatives to learn more about their services, procedures, and availability.

Is home care the right fit?

Let our free assessment guide you to the best senior living options, tailored to your needs.

3. Meet with or interview providers and compare

If your family has chosen to hire a caregiver through an agency, you may want to meet with a few agencies to get a sense of what’s available. When you meet, ask questions aimed at understanding their staff, policies, experience, and past performance. Once you settle on an agency, you’ll likely meet with a director or care coordinator who will gather information about your loved one. This may include an assessment of your loved one’s needs and their living situation to help match them with a caregiver.

If you’re hiring a caregiver directly, you’ll need to hold interviews and compare candidates. You’ll also need to verify the caregiver’s experience, certifications, and availability, as well as conduct a background check.

Interview questions for hiring an independent caregiver

Before interviewing, it’s a good idea to speak to an attorney to understand laws and regulations related to fair hiring practices.

The Family Caregiver Alliance (FCA) recommends asking these specific questions when interviewing an independent caregiver:[02]

  • Why are you interested in this position?
  • Can you tell me a little about yourself?
  • Where have you worked before?
  • What were your duties?
  • What is your favorite kind of client? Are there any people you feel uncomfortable working with?
  • Is there anything in the job description that you are uncomfortable doing?
  • How do you deal with someone living with memory problems? Give an example.
  • Describe your experience making meals for other people.
  • How do you handle people who are angry, stubborn, and/or fearful?
  • Do you have a car? Would you prefer to drive your own car or our car while transporting? I’ll need to see proof of insurance and a current driver’s license.
  • What is your experience transferring someone out of bed or a chair and into a wheelchair?
  • What is your availability? Days? Hours?

In addition, you should request the following items from caregiver candidates:[03]

  • Two work-related references and one personal reference to contact
  • Driver’s license and/or a work visa documenting the caregiver is legally authorized to work
  • Proof of licensing or certifications
  • Personal information for a background check
  • Signed waiver allowing you to perform a background check

4. Write a contract for in-home care

If you’re hiring a caregiver directly, you’ll need to write a contract and have it reviewed by an attorney. If you work with an agency, they’ll contract with the caregiver, and you’ll have a contractual agreement with the agency.

Home care agency contracts

Agencies will most likely have a standard contract and other documents for you to complete and sign prior to starting service. Make sure to read all documents in their entirety. You may want to have a lawyer review these documents before you sign them.

Independent caregiver contracts

A contract for caregiver services typically includes the following information:

  • A thorough description of job duties agreed upon by both parties
  • Full names of the caregiver, care receiver, and employer
  • Contact information of the caregiver
  • Wage information, including hourly rates, holidays, sick days, and insurance
  • Reimbursement policies for mileage, groceries, etc.
  • Expectations for behavior, such as smoking, being on time, etc.
  • Paperwork requirements, like daily updates, medication logs, and other reports
  • A thorough description of any grounds for termination and severance information
  • Dated signatures from all parties

The contract formalizes your agreement and defines both parties’ obligations. It should be signed by both you and the caregiver, and it should be notarized. If disputes arise, the contract can offer potential solutions, which may save you from having to go to court.

If you’re unsure about creating a contract yourself, consider hiring a local attorney to draft a contract. Legal experts may be able to provide specific suggestions to protect yourself and your loved one.

Families should also consider consulting with an accountant to learn about the tax procedures when hiring and paying an independent caregiver.

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5. Create a care plan

A care plan summarizes a person’s specific care needs and highlights their current services. It can help organize and prioritize caregiving activities and create clear expectations between the caregiver, the care recipient, and the family.

In many states, home care agencies are required to create a care plan, which may take place during the first meeting. The agency will provide all the necessary care plan documents, and many will write care plans in partnership with the client and their family.

Care plan requirements differ for independent caregivers depending on where your loved one lives. As the caregiver’s employer, you will be responsible for providing all necessary care plan documents. Consulting with a lawyer will help to ensure you have the correct documents.

Whether you’re working with an agency or hiring a caregiver directly, a care plan should at minimum include the following information:

  • Schedule
  • Caregiver duties and expectations
  • All health conditions the client may have
  • Client’s medications, dosages, and how often they are taken
  • ADL support needs
  • Home chores to be completed, if relevant
  • Information about the senior, such as preferences, likes, and hobbies
  • Contact information for health care providers and family members
  • Emergency contacts

Communication and trust between families and caregivers are essential to building a strong relationship. A care plan should clearly outline when and how updates will be communicated with the family and their loved one. It’s also important to make sure the care plan is updated annually or even more frequently, if your loved one’s needs change.

6. Start care, evaluate, and adapt

If your family chooses to work with a home care agency, it’s important to maintain regular communication with the caregivers and the agency. This is an important step because it helps ensure that everyone involved understands the goals and has the same information. It will also help you stay organized and keep everyone informed of any changes that occur with your loved one.

Families who hire caregivers directly conduct orientation and training themselves. As the employer, it’s essential for you to maintain regular communication with the caregiver to ensure expectations are clear and any questions are addressed.

As time goes on, your loved one’s needs will likely shift. If their care needs increase, you’ll need to revisit the care plan and ensure your caregiver is still qualified to provide the necessary care. Checking in on the care plan regularly — whether that’s annually or more often — with your caregiver or the agency can help you make sure the right services are provided and help keep your loved one safe and healthy.

Help with finding an in-home caregiver

It can be overwhelming to navigate available in-home caregiver options, but you’re not alone. Contact one of the Senior Living Advisors at A Place for Mom for a free consultation about your loved one’s unique care needs. These advisors can provide local solutions and personalized in-home care referrals, all at no cost to you or your family.

This article was optimized by Susanna Guzman.

Families also ask

Yes, in many states, qualified Medicaid recipients can use funds they receive for care to pay a family member for care services instead of hiring a caregiver through an agency or independently. However, you’ll need to check your state’s requirements to make sure you qualify.

Yes,  caregiver duties may include managing household chores like cleaning, vacuuming, and doing laundry. As a flexible care option, home care can support a senior’s needs in a variety of ways.

Many families rely on Medicare, Medicaid, veterans benefits, and Social Security benefits — including Social Security Disability Insurance  — to cover the cost of in-home care.

The Eldercare Locator is a national service that can help you find senior care. Local area agencies on aging are another resource, as are local senior centers and community centers.

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Written by
Kevin Ryan
Kevin Ryan is a content specialist at A Place for Mom, focused on home care topics that include defining the differences between home care and other senior care types, home care costs, and how to pay. Kevin’s desire to support seniors and their families stems from his previous career as a teacher, plus his experience as a writer and community journalist.
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Edited by
Marlena Gates
Marlena Gates is a senior editor at A Place for Mom, where she's written or edited hundreds of articles covering senior care topics, including memory care, skilled nursing, and mental health. Earlier in her career, she worked as a nursing assistant in a residential care home for children suffering from severe traumatic brain injuries. Marlena holds a master's degree in nonfiction writing, plus a degree from the University of California, Davis, where she studied psychobiology and medical anthropology. While there, she worked as a research assistant in the psychobiology department.
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Maureen Bradley, a specialist with A Place for Mom, has advised families on senior care for 20 years.
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