How to Vet Any Senior Care Provider in Michigan
Whether you're evaluating a home care agency, assisted living facility, memory care center, or adult foster care home — this guide gives you the exact questions to ask. Documents to verify, and red flags to watch for.
12 min read
Why Thorough Vetting Matters
The senior care industry is a patchwork of licensing standards. In Michigan, assisted living facilities (HFA) and adult foster care homes require state licenses — but non-medical home care agencies do not. That means anyone can start a home care business tomorrow with no oversight. The burden of due diligence falls entirely on families.
This guide works for every type of senior care provider. Use the checklists below whether you're hiring a home care agency, touring an assisted living, evaluating a memory care center, or visiting an adult foster care home.
The Complete Vetting Checklist
Use this checklist for any type of senior care provider — home-based or facility-based.
Credentials & Insurance
- Verify liability insurance and workers' compensation (ask for certificates)
- Check bonding status — protects against theft or financial harm
- For facilities: search Michigan LARA database for license status and violations
- Ask about caregiver background check procedures (criminal, driving, references)
- Confirm business registration and years of operation
Staff Quality & Training
- Ask about hiring standards — what percentage of applicants are accepted?
- Inquire about ongoing training requirements (dementia care, fall prevention, CPR)
- Ask about staff turnover rate — high turnover signals problems
- For facilities: ask the staff-to-resident ratio on each shift (especially nights)
- Ask if caregivers are W-2 employees or independent contractors
Care Quality & Communication
- Ask for a detailed care plan before services begin
- Ask how they communicate with families (frequency, method, portal)
- Ask about their complaint resolution process
- Request references from current clients with similar care needs
- Ask what happens when a caregiver is sick or unavailable
Pricing & Contracts
- Get all pricing in writing — hourly rates, minimums, overtime, holiday rates
- Ask about rate increase policies and how much notice they give
- Review the service agreement carefully before signing
- Check for fees (assessments, administrative charges, travel surcharges)
- Ask about cancellation policies and any required notice periods
Universal Red Flags
These warning signs apply to every type of senior care provider — home care agencies, facilities, and foster care homes alike.
Won't provide proof of insurance or specific policy details
Pressures you to sign quickly or requires long-term commitments upfront
Can't clearly explain their caregiver screening process
No written care plan — just vague promises
Significantly below-market pricing (corners are being cut somewhere)
High staff turnover or no consistent caregiver assignment
Defensive or dismissive when you ask detailed questions
No supervisory visits, quality checks, or family updates
What to Look for on a Facility Tour
If you're considering assisted living, memory care, a skilled nursing facility, or adult foster care, visit at least twice — once scheduled, once unannounced. Here's what to observe:
Are residents engaged, alert, and well-groomed?
Does the staff seem happy and attentive — or stressed and rushed?
Is the facility clean and free of strong odors?
Are common areas well-maintained and inviting?
How quickly does someone greet you when you arrive?
Do staff members address residents by name?
Are activity calendars posted and recent?
Is there outdoor space that residents actually use?
What does the food look like at mealtime?
Do you see call lights going unanswered?
Compare Your Options
Not sure which type of care is right? These resources can help you narrow it down:
FAQ
Common Questions
About evaluating senior care providers
Are You in One of These Situations?
We have specific guidance for families going through these common scenarios.
We Welcome Your Toughest Questions
Use this checklist on us. Ask about our insurance, our screening process, our turnover rate, our backup plan. We're confident in our answers — and we've been earning families' trust since 1989.