How to Choose a Home Care Agency in Houston: 12 Questions to Ask
Short answer: Choose a licensed agency that screens and supervises its caregivers, has a real plan for when a caregiver is out, and lets you talk to a person who knows your family. The questions below will tell you most of what you need to know in one phone call.
What should I check first?
Start with the license. Home care agencies in Texas are licensed by Texas Health and Human Services. Ask for the license number and look it up. 21st Century Quality Home Care is licensed under Texas license #021589.
12 questions to ask a home care agency
About the caregivers
- How do you screen caregivers? Listen for background checks, reference checks, and interviews.
- What training do they have? Ask about training for dementia, safe transfers, and personal care.
- Are caregivers your employees? Employees are supervised and covered by the agency. Contractors may not be.
- Will we have the same caregiver? Consistency matters, especially for someone with dementia.
- What happens if the caregiver is sick or doesn’t show? A good agency has a backup plan and tells you right away.
About the care
- Who creates the care plan, and how often is it updated?
- Can you handle the specific needs we have? For example, dementia, mobility, or end-of-life care.
- How do you keep the family informed?
About cost and the company
- What is the hourly rate, and is there a minimum? See typical Houston costs.
- Do you work with VA benefits or long-term care insurance?
- Is there a contract, and how do we cancel or change hours?
- Who do I call with a problem, and how fast will they answer?
What are the red flags?
- No license number, or reluctance to give it.
- Vague answers about screening or backup coverage.
- Pressure to sign a long contract before anyone has met your loved one.
- You can never reach the same person twice.
How we answer these questions
At 21st Century Quality Home Care, your first conversation is with our founder, Tieasha Waddy, and she follows up within 24 hours. Ask her every question on this list. You can also read about Tieasha or see what families say in our Google reviews.
Common questions
Still unsure? Call 832-308-0776 and ask Tieasha directly.
How do I check if a home care agency is licensed in Texas?
Home care agencies in Texas are licensed by Texas Health and Human Services. Ask the agency for its license number and look it up in the state’s long-term care provider search. 21st Century Quality Home Care is licensed under Texas license #021589.
What is the difference between home care and home health?
Home care is non-medical help with daily life: bathing, dressing, meals, company, and housekeeping. Home health is skilled medical care, such as nursing or therapy, ordered by a doctor. Many families use both at different times.
Should I use an agency or hire a private caregiver?
An agency screens and supervises caregivers, handles payroll and taxes, and sends a replacement when a caregiver is sick. Hiring privately can cost less but puts all of that on the family.
What should I watch for in the first few weeks?
Notice whether caregivers arrive on time, whether your loved one is comfortable with them, and whether the agency calls you back quickly. Speak up early; a good agency will adjust.
Request a first care conversation
Share your name and the best way to reach you. Tieasha will follow up personally within 24 hours to learn what your family needs.
Serving Houston and surrounding Texas counties, with specialized support for seniors and veterans.
What happens after you send this
- This form requests a first conversation. It does not book an appointment.
- Your first conversation is with Tieasha, our founder.
- If you have VA benefits or a long-term care policy, tell her and she will help you look at what it may cover.
Prefer to call? 832-308-0776
21st Century Quality Home Care LLC · License #021589