20 Questions to Ask When Interviewing a Caregiver for a Loved One

Hiring a paid caregiver is one of the hardest decisions families face..

You are letting a stranger into your home and into a very personal part of your loved one’s life so it is completely normal to feel nervous, guilty, or unsure what to ask because there are some very real stakes at play.

The right caregiver keeps your loved one safe, supports their independence, and gives you time to rest while the wrong fit can leave everyone more stressed.

The good news is that a clear set of questions makes the choice much easier and in this article we will look at how to prepare with the right questions, what good answers sound like, and how to set up a trial period.

Before You Interview a Caregiver: Determine What You Need

Before you interview a caregiver there are a lot of things to consider. Mainly, you can’t know what a good answer sounds like without a clear picture of what you need so write down the tasks your loved one needs help with each day and be specific. For example, “Help getting out of bed and into a wheelchair” tells a candidate far more than “mobility help.”

A simple needs list of common categories to include might be:

1. Physical care: bathing, dressing, toileting, transfers, and walking.
2. Daily tasks: meals, medicines, appointments, and light housework.
3. Communication needs: speech, memory, or understanding changes.
4. Recovery goals: the exercises or activities your loved one’s therapists want practiced.
5. Schedule: the days, hours, and any overnight needs.

Bring your loved one into the process when you can and talk to their therapist about what a caregiver should and should not do. That way, your questions match the real plan.

Additional Considerations for Your Caregiver Interview

A caregiver for a stroke or brain injury survivor does more than provide comfort. Their habits shape how much your loved one does on their own each day and an overly kind caregiver who does everything can slow progress without meaning to.

Remember, recovery runs on repeated meaningful practice. That is the idea behind neuroplasticity after stroke, the brain’s ability to rewire itself.

A good caregiver knows when to step in and when to let your loved one try, even if it takes longer.

In addition, training also matters. In a trial of 300 stroke patients and their caregivers, caregivers who learned hands-on skills like safe lifting, transfers, and personal care reported less burden after a year with patients reporting lower anxiety and depression as well. The study did not find changes in disability or survival, so training is not a cure but tt does show that skill and support improve daily life for both people.

Finally, years of experience does not guarantee the right experience so make sure to consider what kind of clients and setting the person has worked with.

20 Questions to Ask When Interviewing a Caregiver for a Stroke or Brain Injury Survivor

The right questions when choosing a caregiver help you find someone who understands safety, respects your loved one’s independence, communicates patiently, and knows how to support recovery without taking over.

We have grouped the following questions into categories that will help you compare candidates, uncover potential concerns, and find someone your family can trust.

Experience and Training

Experience and training are an important piece of understanding whether the candidate understands and has worked with someone with your loved one’s condition. Here are a few questions that will help you determine that and how to evaluate their answer.

1. “What experience do you have with stroke, brain injury, spinal cord injury, or similar conditions?” Try to listen/ask for named conditions and real examples, not just “I’ve worked with seniors.”
2. “What training or certifications do you hold?” Look for a home health aide or nursing assistant credential, plus first aid and CPR. Ask to see proof.
3. “What did you learn from your most challenging client, and what would you do differently?” Honest reflection is a good sign here as a person who has never struggled may not be telling the full story.
4. “Are you willing to learn from our therapists?” The best caregivers welcome coaching.

Safety and Physical Care

Safety and physical care are another extremely important area to probe as falls and rough transfers are a real risk. You can use the questions below to learn more about their practical skill.

1. “How do you help someone move from bed to wheelchair or from sitting to standing?” Ask them to describe the steps and then ask them to show you. This is even better with your loved one’s therapist if possible.
2. “How do you protect a weak or painful arm or shoulder during care?” After a stroke, a limp arm can be hurt by pulling. Good answers mention supporting the arm and never pulling on it.
3. “What would you do if my loved one fell?” Listen for staying calm, checking for injury, not lifting alone, and calling for help.
4. “What would you do if you saw sudden weakness, confusion, trouble speaking, or a severe headache?” The right answer is to call 911 right away and then call you. A sudden change is not a plateau and it requires emergency care.

You can also ask how they would spot hazards at home. Our guide to home safety modifications for stroke patients offers a helpful checklist to walk through together.

Communication and Behavior

Many neurological injuries like stroke or TBI can change speech, memory, mood, and personality. The ideal caregiver needs patience and a plan for communciating. Several questions we recommend are:

1. “How would you communicate with someone who has trouble speaking or understanding?” Good answers include simple sentences, extra time, yes-or-no questions, and gestures. Check out our aphasia communication tips which cover these in detail.
2. “How do you respond when someone is frustrated, angry, or refuses help?” Look for calm, respectful answers and definitely be wary of anybody talking in a way that indicates “winning” or “getting” a client comply.
3. “How do you handle memory problems, repeated questions, or confusion?” Again, the best answers here stay patient and avoid correcting or scolding.
4. “How would you talk to my loved one in front of others?” Your loved one is an adult and not a child even if they are having difficulty with expression, communication, or behavior. Listen for respectful language and real interest in who they are.

Recovery Support

This is where a lot of individuals overlook the importance of how a candidate can continue to support progress rather than only comfort. These questions help determine exactly that.

1. “How do you decide when to help and when to let someone try on their own?” Strong answers describe letting your loved one do part of a task and using judgement to determine help when needed.
2. “Are you comfortable supporting a home exercise program?” A caregiver does not need to be a therapist but they can help with setup, safety, and consistency. Our article on supporting home practice without becoming the therapist explains this role.
3. “How would you encourage someone who feels discouraged or tired?” Good answers include breaking tasks into smaller steps and celebrating small wins. They should also recognize fatigue and knowing when to push and when to rest.
4. “Will you share what you notice with the family and therapists?” Daily notes on mood, pain, and new difficulties help the whole team continue to hep your loved one.

Reliability and Trust

Finally, a skilled caregiver still needs to show up when you need them. These questions cover the practical side of interviewing a new caregiver.

1. “Can you share at least three references from past employers?” The Idaho Commission on Aging suggests asking each reference about duties, length of employment, and whether they would rehire.
2. “Will you agree to a background check?” Any serious candidate says yes and agencies often complete this already so ask to see the results.
3. “What happens if you are sick or cannot come?” Ask agencies about backup staff. The Alzheimer’s Association also suggests asking whether the same person will provide care regularly since steady relationships can help tremendously.
4. “What are your rates, hours, and expectations?” Put the details in writing before the first shift. Private hires should also ask about taxes and insurance so make sure to check local rules.

Red Flags and Good Answers

Interviewing is difficult in general but after a few interviews you will start to see patterns appear highlighting the good and the bad signs.

Here is a quick guide.

Good signs:

• They ask you questions about your loved one’s goals and routines.
• They describe specific steps instead of general promises.
• They welcome therapist input and a trial period.
• They treat your loved one with respect in the interview.

Red flags:

• They talk over your loved one or ignore them.
• They promise to “fix” or “cure” the condition.
• They dismiss your safety questions.
• They push you to hire fast or skip references.

Trust your gut and if an answer worries you then continue to ask as many questions as you need. A strong candidate will not mind and should understand that you need to feel comfortable with somebody watching over your loved one.

After the Interview

After you have created a short list of candidates you can meet the top candidates in your home and be sure to include your loved ones. The Alzheimer’s Association suggests having another person present for in-home interviews.

Here you can watch how the candidate interacts, not only what they say.

Then to set the relationship up for success:

1. Start with a trial period. A few shifts or a few weeks lets everyone see how it is working.
2. Write a plan of care. List daily tasks, safety rules, and recovery goals so expectations are clear.
3. Have a therapist walk through key tasks. Transfers and arm care are good places to start.
4. Check in often. Ask your loved one how they feel about the caregiver, and ask again after a few weeks.

Finally, protect your own energy.

Paid help is not a failure but a way to prevent caregiver burnout and keep your support sustainable.

Moving Forward

Interviewing a caregiver and finding the right questions you need to ask take time but the effort pays off. A clear needs list, a strong set of questions, and a trial period help you find someone who keeps your loved one safe and supports their goals.

Use these questions as a guide and think about how you would adapt them to your individual circumstance.

Also remember that your loved one’s therapist or healthcare provider can be a great resource for “What should a caregiver do, and not do, to support practice at home?”

We hope you enjoyed this article and subscribe to our newsletter for weekly articles just like this delivered straight to your inbox — subscribe here.

Additional Resources and Related Articles for Caregiver Questions

Here are some additional articles you might be interested in:

• How to Care for a Stroke Patient at Home: 10 Essential Tips for Caregivers: Learn the daily care basics that keep your loved one safe and supported.
• How to Prevent and Overcome Caregiver Burnout: Recommended Resources and Strategies: Spot the warning signs early and find ways to rest and recharge.
• How to Support Stroke Recovery Home Practice as a Caregiver Without Needing to Become the Therapist: See how to help with practice without taking on the therapist’s job.
• 12 Helpful Tips for Caring for Patients and Loved Ones With Brain Injury: Get practical ideas for the changes that follow a brain injury.
• How to Communicate With Someone Who Has Aphasia: Therapist Recommended Tips: Try simple ways to make conversations easier and less stressful.