Fourteen questions worth asking any Atlanta home care agency.

Each question, our answer, and why it matters.

1. 01

   Who oversees my loved one’s care?

   Our answer. Every client receives an individualized Plan of Care developed through an in-home assessment and supported by our care management team. Our agency also benefits from the clinical leadership of our President, Andrew Harris, RN, whose background includes Neuro ICU nursing and complex patient care. We believe quality home care requires more than simply scheduling caregivers. It requires ongoing oversight, communication, and accountability.

   Why it matters. Your loved one’s needs will change over time. Having an experienced team overseeing care helps identify concerns early, adjust the care plan, and keep everyone informed.

2. 02

   How do you select the right caregiver for my family?

   Our answer. Caregiver matching begins with understanding the client, not simply filling an available shift. Our care management team evaluates care needs, personality, preferences, routines, and the home environment. From there, we identify caregivers with the appropriate experience and temperament to provide consistent, high-quality care.

   Why it matters. The relationship between a caregiver and client is one of the most important factors in successful home care. The right match builds trust, improves consistency, and makes the experience better for the entire family.

3. 03

   Are your caregivers employees or independent contractors?

   Our answer. Our caregivers are employees of our agency, not independent contractors. We manage payroll, employment taxes, training, supervision, and applicable insurance coverage. Families can focus on their loved one’s care without taking on the responsibilities of directly employing a caregiver.

   Why it matters. Hiring privately can create additional responsibilities involving payroll, taxes, insurance, and liability. Working with an established agency provides an additional layer of protection and accountability.

4. 04

   How experienced are your caregivers?

   Our answer. We prioritize hiring caregivers with professional experience and a demonstrated commitment to caregiving. Our hiring process evaluates practical skills, reliability, communication, and the ability to support clients with varying levels of care needs, including dementia, mobility limitations, and complex conditions.

   Why it matters. Caregivers often work independently in a client’s home. Experience, sound judgment, and the ability to recognize changes in a client’s condition are essential to providing safe, dependable care.

5. 05

   What screening and training do caregivers complete before starting?

   Our answer. Every caregiver completes a structured hiring and onboarding process that includes interviews, reference checks, background screening, credential verification where applicable, and required training. Our HR and compliance team maintains personnel records and monitors ongoing requirements to ensure caregivers meet our standards.

   Why it matters. Families are trusting us with someone they love. A thorough screening and training process helps ensure caregivers are qualified, dependable, and prepared before entering a client’s home.

6. 06

   How selective are you when hiring caregivers?

   Our answer. We maintain high expectations throughout our recruiting process and prioritize quality over simply filling positions. We evaluate each candidate’s experience, professionalism, reliability, and ability to deliver the level of care our clients expect. We would rather be transparent about staffing limitations than place a caregiver who is not the right fit.

   Why it matters. Caregiver quality directly impacts the client’s experience. A strong hiring process helps establish the consistency, professionalism, and trust families deserve.

7. 07

   Will my loved one have the same caregiver consistently?

   Our answer. That is always our goal. We prioritize continuity by establishing a dedicated care team and limiting the number of caregivers involved whenever possible. When a regular caregiver is unavailable, our 24/7 care coordination team works to arrange appropriate coverage while minimizing disruptions to the client’s routine.

   Why it matters. Consistency allows caregivers to develop meaningful relationships with clients, become familiar with their routines, and recognize changes in their condition. This is especially important for individuals living with dementia.

8. 08

   Do you provide care 24 hours a day, including weekends and holidays?

   Our answer. Absolutely. We provide care 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including weekends and holidays. Our caregivers are supported by a dedicated 24/7 care coordination team that manages scheduling, arranges coverage, and responds to unexpected changes or concerns.

   Why it matters. Care needs don’t follow normal business hours. Families deserve the peace of mind knowing their loved one has dependable care backed by a team available around the clock.

9. 09

   Is there a minimum number of hours or a long-term commitment?

   Our answer. We offer flexible care schedules tailored to each family’s needs. Whether you need assistance a few mornings a week, temporary support following a hospitalization, or around-the-clock care, we work with you to develop a schedule that makes sense for your situation.

   Why it matters. Every family’s circumstances are different. Home care should be tailored to the level of support needed, with the flexibility to adjust as those needs change.

10. 10

    Can you work directly with my long-term care insurance company?

    Our answer. Absolutely. Our team has experience working with long-term care insurance providers and can assist with benefit verification, required documentation, care records, and claims coordination. When supported by the policy and insurer, we can also arrange assignment of benefits for direct payment to our agency.

    Why it matters. Long-term care insurance can be complicated to navigate. Having an experienced team managing the documentation and claims process helps families access their benefits while reducing the administrative burden.

11. 11

    Can veterans receive home care through the VA?

    Our answer. Yes. We are an authorized VA Community Care provider serving eligible veterans throughout the Greater Metro Atlanta area, including Homemaker and Home Health Aide services. Our team helps families navigate the referral and authorization process, understand their available benefits, and coordinate care based on their approved services.

    Why it matters. Many veterans and their families are unaware of the home care benefits available to them. Understanding eligibility and the appropriate programs can make a significant difference in accessing care.

12. 12

    What insurance protection does your agency provide?

    Our answer. Our agency maintains liability insurance and workers’ compensation coverage for our employees. We also manage caregiver employment, training, and supervision, providing families with an established organization responsible for overseeing the care being delivered.

    Why it matters. When hiring a caregiver privately, families may assume additional financial and legal responsibilities. Working with an insured agency helps reduce those risks and provides greater peace of mind.

13. 13

    Is your agency licensed and regulated?

    Our answer. Yes. We are licensed by the Georgia Department of Community Health as a Private Home Care Provider. We follow applicable state regulations governing caregiver qualifications, personnel records, care documentation, and the delivery of home care services.

    Why it matters. Licensing establishes important standards for how home care agencies operate. Families should always verify that an agency is properly licensed and maintains the appropriate oversight and compliance procedures.

14. 14

    Are there situations where home care may not be appropriate?

    Our answer. Absolutely. Our responsibility is to recommend the level of care that best supports the client’s safety and well-being, even when that means services outside our agency. During our assessment and throughout care, we evaluate whether the client’s needs can be safely managed at home and coordinate with healthcare providers or recommend additional resources when appropriate.

    Why it matters. A trustworthy home care agency should prioritize the client’s best interests over simply providing additional hours. Sometimes the right recommendation is more care, specialized medical support, or a different care setting altogether.

Ask the same fourteen of every agency you ring. If one of them will not answer a question in writing, that is the answer. Ask us anything on this list.

What Joint Commission accreditation actually means.

It is the body that accredits hospitals. For a home care agency it is voluntary, most do not hold it, and it is checkable by anyone in about a minute.

1. 01

   An outside surveyor has been through the files

   Not a self-assessment. Someone independent examined how this office hires, trains, supervises and documents care, against a published national standard.

2. 02

   It is held by the company, not the brand

   The accredited organization is O'Guardians, Inc. dba Homewatch CareGivers of East Cobb. Other Homewatch offices are independently owned and do not inherit it.

3. 03

   You can check it yourself

   Joint Commission ID 708649, effective October 11, 2024, on the Quality Check directory. If an agency tells you it is accredited, ask for the ID.

4. 04

   What it does not mean

   It is not a licence and it is not a clinical guarantee. The licence is Georgia permit PHCP010959. Accreditation says the systems behind the care were examined; the people are still what make the difference.