The short answer
Start by listing the help the person wants and the tasks that are becoming difficult. Ask providers about dementia experience, training, references, backup coverage, schedule and costs. Involve the person in choosing support.
- List the specific tasks and times when help would make a difference.
- Ask about dementia experience, training, references and backup coverage.
- Meet a provider with the person and notice whether they communicate respectfully.
- Clarify the tasks, schedule, costs and contact plan before service begins.
On this page (5 sections)
Finding in-home help starts with the person, not a list of services. Ask what they want to keep doing themselves and what kind of help they would accept. A provider may support companionship, daily tasks, household work or skilled health care. The right mix depends on the person, the tasks and the support already available.
The Alzheimer’s Association guide to in-home care and Dementia Australia’s home-care overview describe different service types. The Association’s provider checklist suggests asking about training, experience, references, backup and cost. Services, credentials and funding rules vary by location; this page does not endorse a provider or explain eligibility.
What kind of help does the person want?
Start with tasks that matter in the person’s day. They may want someone to visit and talk, help with shopping or meal preparation, or support with bathing or dressing. Skilled health care, such as nursing or physical therapy, is a different service and may require a licensed professional or a health provider’s referral.
Write down what help is needed, when it is useful and what the person prefers. Include what they can do without help and when they want privacy. This can keep a service focused on supporting independence instead of taking over the whole day.
If the person is unsure, begin with one practical need or a short visit where that option is available. Ask how they felt afterward. They may want to change the task, time or person helping them. A care plan can be adjusted as needs and preferences change.
What should I ask a provider before hiring?
Call a few providers and explain the tasks the person wants help with. Ask whether they can meet those needs, when they are available and whether they have cared for someone with dementia. Ask what dementia training their staff receive and how they support a person who is confused, worried or tired.
Clarify the details that affect daily life: who will come, how often, how long each visit lasts, what happens if a worker is sick, and who to call with a concern. If the person wants the same helper when possible, ask whether the service can offer that continuity.
Ask for references and how the agency screens its workers. Find out whether background checks, training and credentials are checked, and what tasks a worker is allowed to perform. Rules and titles differ by place, so confirm any professional or licensing requirements locally.
How can I check that the person and provider are a good fit?
If the person agrees, arrange a meeting at home before the first visit. Notice whether the provider speaks to the person directly, listens to their preferences and gives them time to respond. Ask the person how the meeting felt, in a way they can answer comfortably.
The Alzheimer’s Association suggests having another trusted person present during an interview so you can discuss your impressions afterward. Use the meeting to talk through a typical visit: arrival, greeting, the planned task and how the person can ask to stop or take a break.
If possible, agree on a short first visit and review it with the person. A provider may look qualified on paper and still not be a good personal match. Respect the person’s response and discuss alternatives if either of you has concerns.
What information should I share with a helper?
Share only details that help the provider support the person safely and respectfully. With the person’s agreement, explain how they prefer to be addressed, what routines matter, what helps them communicate and what they would like to do themselves.
If health instructions affect the task, ask the person’s clinician what the provider needs to know. Do not ask an unlicensed worker to perform medical tasks outside their training or role. Keep personal information private, and check who can access any written notes or care records.
The guide to preparing for doctor visits can help organize questions for a health professional. The home-safety guide covers household changes and when to ask a qualified professional.
How can I review the arrangement over time?
Check in with the person after visits. Ask what felt comfortable, what they enjoyed and what they would change. If they do not use many words, notice whether they welcome the helper, seem at ease and want the visit to continue. These observations are not a score; use them to guide a conversation.
Agree with the provider on how to share routine updates and how to handle concerns. If a visit is cancelled, know who can provide backup or what the person prefers to do instead. Review tasks when the person’s daily routine, health or support needs change.
Costs, schedules and available services vary. Ask the provider for written terms, including rates, minimum visit length, cancellation rules and extra fees. The person’s doctor, local aging services or dementia organizations may be able to suggest places to look, but compare providers for yourself and the person.
If the person suddenly becomes confused or much more unwell, do not assume the change is due to dementia. The NHS advises immediate medical help for sudden confusion. For ongoing care concerns, talk with a doctor or another qualified professional.
The aim is support that fits the person’s life. Define the task, check the provider’s experience and backup plan, involve the person in each decision and review how the arrangement feels over time.
Common questions
What kinds of in-home help are available for dementia?
Services may include companionship, help with daily activities, household tasks or skilled health care. Ask each provider what they offer and which tasks their staff are trained and permitted to do.
What should I ask an in-home care provider?
Ask about experience and dementia training, the tasks they can support, references, background checks, schedule, costs and what happens if a worker is unavailable. Confirm who to contact with questions.
Should the person with dementia help choose a care provider?
Include the person as much as they want and are able. Ask what kind of help they welcome, introduce them to the provider and notice whether they feel comfortable with the interaction.
How can I decide whether the arrangement is working?
Check in with the person and provider after visits. Ask what feels helpful, adjust tasks or timing when needed, and make sure there is a backup plan if the regular worker cannot come.
Sources
We link to the organizations and studies this page relies on. Each was checked when the page was updated.
- In-Home Care · Alzheimer's Association
- Choosing an In-Home Care Professional · Alzheimer's Association
- Home care · Dementia Australia
- Sudden confusion (delirium) · NHS