Once a family decides it’s time for in-home care, a new challenge shows up fast: there are a lot of agencies out there, and from the outside, many websites look nearly identical. Warm photos, similar promises, similar service lists. How do you actually tell them apart?

Here’s the checklist we’d give a friend — the questions worth asking before you sign anything.

1. Is the agency properly licensed in Georgia?

In Georgia, non-medical home care agencies must be licensed as a Private Home Care Provider (PHCP) through the Department of Community Health. This isn’t a formality — licensing means the agency is subject to state oversight, inspections, and standards for things like caregiver training and supervision. Don’t be shy about asking directly: “Are you licensed as a Private Home Care Provider in Georgia?” A trustworthy agency will answer immediately and specifically.

2. How are caregivers screened and trained?

Ask what the hiring process actually involves: background checks, reference verification, in-person interviews, and ongoing training (not just a one-time orientation). Also ask what happens if a caregiver doesn’t show up — is there a backup plan, or does your family get left scrambling?

3. Who’s actually coming into the home?

You should be able to ask for — and receive — information about the specific caregiver(s) who will be assigned, along with a chance to meet them before care begins. Consistency matters enormously, especially for people with memory conditions who do better with familiar faces. Ask how the agency handles caregiver matching, and what happens if the first match isn’t the right fit.

4. What does a care plan actually look like?

A quality agency won’t hand you a generic service menu. They’ll start with an assessment — ideally in your loved one’s own home — and build a plan around specific needs, preferences, and routines. Ask whether that plan is written down, how often it’s reviewed, and who you’d talk to if something needs to change.

5. How is communication handled?

Find out how you’ll get updates: a phone call after visits, a family portal, a dedicated care coordinator you can reach directly. Ask what happens in an emergency, and how quickly you can expect a callback. Response time tells you a lot about how an agency will treat you once you’re an actual client, not just a prospective one.

6. What are the payment options?

Ask clearly about private-pay rates, minimum hour requirements, and whether the agency accepts Georgia Medicaid waiver programs like SOURCE or CCSP, long-term care insurance, or specific Medicaid managed care plans. (If you’re not sure how waivers work, see our companion post, “Understanding Georgia’s Medicaid Waiver Programs for In-Home Care” — link once published.) Get any rates, minimums, and cancellation policies in writing before you commit.

7. Can they actually meet the level of need?

Not every agency offers the same range of services. If your loved one might need more clinical support down the road — medication management, care coordination for a chronic condition, or services for a child through a program like GAPP — ask upfront whether the agency can grow with your family’s needs, or whether you’ll need to start over with someone new later.

8. What do other families say?

Reviews matter, but so does asking the agency directly for references from current or past clients. A confident agency will welcome the question.

A quick gut-check

After a phone call or in-home visit, ask yourself: Did they listen more than they talked? Did they answer questions directly, without deflecting? Did it feel like they were building a relationship, or closing a sale? Families often know the right fit less from a service list and more from how a conversation actually felt.

We’d welcome the questions

At Sister to Sister, we’re a licensed Georgia Private Home Care Provider, and we’d genuinely rather you ask us every question on this list than skip straight to a decision. Our free in-home assessment is built for exactly this — a real conversation about your loved one’s needs, with no pressure attached.

Comparing agencies? Call us at (404) 282-2447 — we’re happy to be one of the calls on your list. Because it’s not just care. It’s personal.