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Decision Guide

How to Choose a Home Care Agency in Michigan

Not all home care agencies are created equal. Here's what to look for, what to ask, and what to avoid when choosing care for your loved one.

8 min read

10 Questions to Ask Any Home Care Agency

Before signing with any agency, get clear answers to these questions:

1

How long have you been providing home care in this area?

2

What background checks do you run on caregivers?

3

Do you carry liability insurance and workers' compensation?

4

What is your caregiver-to-client ratio?

5

How do you match caregivers with clients?

6

What happens if my regular caregiver is unavailable?

7

What is your minimum hours requirement and why?

8

How do you handle complaints or concerns?

9

Can you provide references from current clients?

10

Do you have experience with my loved one's specific conditions?

Family member interviewing a home care agency representative with a checklist of questions

Red Flags to Watch For

  • ✕No written care plan or service agreement
  • ✕Unwillingness to provide proof of insurance
  • ✕High-pressure sales tactics or long-term contract requirements
  • ✕Requiring an upfront deposit before services begin
  • ✕No background checks or vague screening processes
  • ✕Significantly lower pricing than market average (often indicates cut corners)
  • ✕No supervisory visits or quality assurance process
  • ✕Caregivers treated as independent contractors (liability falls on you)

Signs of a Great Agency

  • Transparent pricing with no fees
  • Strong local Google reviews from real families
  • Thorough in-home assessment before starting care
  • Consistent caregiver assignment for continuity
  • Has true W-2 employees — not contract workers
  • Available 24/7 for emergencies and schedule changes
  • Ongoing caregiver training and supervision
  • Clear communication and regular check-ins with families
Carefully reviewing a home care agency contract for transparency and fair terms

Agency vs. Hiring Independently

Some families consider hiring a caregiver directly to save money. While the hourly rate may look lower, the true cost is often higher once you factor in employer obligations. Our cost calculator includes a cost tool that breaks down the real numbers — including FICA taxes, workers' comp, liability insurance, and the value of backup coverage.

Through an Agency

  • ✓ Background checks handled for you
  • ✓ Liability insurance and workers' comp included
  • ✓ Backup caregivers when your regular is out
  • ✓ Professional oversight and care management
  • ✓ Payroll, taxes, and compliance handled
  • ✓ W-2 employees — properly employed and protected

Hiring Independently

  • → You run background checks yourself
  • → You carry the liability if someone is injured
  • → No backup — you scramble if they call off
  • → No oversight or quality assurance
  • → You handle payroll taxes and employment law
  • → FICA, workers' comp, and unemployment taxes add 15-25%
Trained W-2 caregiver using proper transfer technique to help a senior stand safely at home

FAQ

Common Questions

About evaluating home care agencies

In Michigan, non-medical home care agencies are not required to be licensed by the state. However, reputable agencies carry general liability insurance, workers' compensation insurance, and are bonded. They should also conduct background checks on all caregivers and maintain proper business registrations.
Look for agencies with a strong local reputation, verified Google reviews, transparent pricing, proper insurance coverage, thorough caregiver screening processes, and a willingness to answer all your questions without high-pressure sales tactics. Contact us to see how we measure up.
Hiring through an agency provides important protections: liability insurance, workers\' compensation, background checks, backup caregivers, and professional oversight. With an independent caregiver, you become the employer — responsible for taxes, insurance, screening, and finding replacements when they're unavailable. Our cost calculator includes a cost tool that shows the true cost of hiring independently vs. through an agency — the difference may surprise you.
Ask: Are caregivers W-2 employees or 1099 contractors? Do you carry general liability and workers' compensation insurance? What is your hourly rate, weekend rate, and holiday rate in writing? What is your minimum shift and weekly minimum? How do you handle caregiver call-outs? Can I meet the caregiver before care starts? What is your cancellation policy? A reputable Southeast Michigan home care provider will answer all of these in writing without hesitation.
Affordable Home Care has served families in Oakland, Wayne, and Macomb Counties since 1989 — over 35 years. We are locally owned (not a franchise), based in Farmington Hills, and have walked thousands of families through long-term care insurance claims, hospital discharges, dementia progression, and end-of-life care planning.

Are You in One of These Situations?

We have specific guidance for families going through these common scenarios.

See How We Measure Up

We welcome your toughest questions. Ask us anything from this guide and see why Michigan families have trusted us since 1989.