Finding a Home Health Aide: 22 Interview Questions

When choosing a home health aide, there are a myriad of factors to consider. How will this new person fit in my aging loved one’s life? How often do they need to be here? Will my elderly relative get along with them?

Luckily, the best way to get to the bottom of these questions is to meet with potential candidates. Conducting an in-person (or zoom) interview is a great way to get a feel for the potential caregiver.

The following are some questions that you can ask a potential home health aide. This is not an exhaustive list! Feel free to use what you like, discard what doesn’t serve you, and craft your own questions!

General 

  1. What brought you to caregiving?
  2. What skills would you say that you specialize in?
  3. What made you leave your previous job?
  4. What is your favorite part of being a home health aide?

Paperwork

  1. Are you certified as a home health aide in the current state? Can you provide this certification?
  2. What training certifications do you have? Do you have access to your current documentation related to the aforementioned training/certifications?
  3. Can you provide any references from former employers, clients, patients, etc?
  4. Are you cleared for tuberculosis and other communicable diseases? Do you have this as a health clearance that is authenticated by a physician?
  5. Are you willing to sign a contract?

Experience

  1. How long have you been a home health aide?
  2. What would you do in the case of an emergency scenario? What steps would you take?
  3. Are you able to help with all ADLs? Is there anything that will interfere with you being able to help with bathing, dressing, eating, etc?
  4. What experience in caregiving has taught you the most? 
  5. What experience in caregiving has personally tested you? What was the most difficult?
  6. Have you ever cared for someone who has a similar condition to [your] aging loved one?

Expectation

  1. What is your availability to work? Will that change within the scope of care?
  2. Are you available to work overnight or on weekends?
  3. What are your personal expectations of client behaviour?
  4. Are there any parts of the potential scope of work that you are uncomfortable doing?  
  5. How much notice would you like before being asked to work?
  6. Do you have a shift cancellation policy?
  7. What medium of communication is most useful to you?