Every caregiver we match to a New York family completes background checks, reference verification, and a video interview before any in-home visit is scheduled. Families seeking dementia care in New York deserve a clear picture of who will be in the home and how that person was screened.
This page walks through each step we take, what we look for, and how a screened caregiver is matched to your household. Nothing here is a medical diagnosis or a treatment plan. It is a practical explanation of how we try to earn your trust before care begins.
Why Careful Vetting Matters for Dementia Care
Careful vetting matters because dementia can impair memory, thinking, and everyday decisions, so the person in your home needs to be screened, dependable, and ready for that kind of support. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, dementia is a general term for the impaired ability to remember, think, or make decisions that interferes with doing everyday activities.
Alzheimer's disease is the most common type of dementia, and New York's statewide need for Alzheimer's support is well documented. New York ranks second among states in Alzheimer's prevalence.
That statewide picture is one reason many New York City households look for in-home help that has been screened before the first visit, whether the goal is memory care at home or shorter companion visits. Screening cannot remove every risk, but it does give families a consistent process to rely on instead of an informal introduction.
Background Checks Before Any Match
Every caregiver completes a background check before we introduce them to a family. We do not send someone into a home on a written application alone.
A background check is our first safety filter. It helps us confirm that the person we are considering is who they say they are and that we have reviewed available criminal-history information before a match. If a check raises a concern we cannot resolve, that candidate does not move forward.
We keep this step in place for every role, including lighter companionship and more hands-on help. The goal is the same: you should not have to wonder whether basic screening was skipped because a shift needed to be filled quickly.
How We Verify References
We contact references to confirm work history, reliability, and how a caregiver has supported older adults before we make a match. Written claims on an application are not enough.
When we reach a reference, we ask about punctuality, communication, and how the caregiver handled stressful or changing situations. We listen for specific examples, not only general praise. If references cannot be reached, or if what we hear does not line up with the application, we pause and do not match that person to your family.
Reference checks are especially useful for dementia care because the work depends on patience, clear communication, and respect for a person's routine. A strong reference does not replace a background check or an interview. It is one more independent view of how someone actually shows up.
Video Interviews With Every Caregiver
Each caregiver completes a live video interview so we can assess communication, professionalism, and comfort with memory-related needs before any match. A resume cannot show how someone listens or explains themselves.
During the interview we look at more than job history. We pay attention to whether the caregiver answers questions directly, how they talk about dignity and daily routines, and whether they seem prepared for repetition, confusion, or changes in mood. We also use the conversation to confirm availability, language, and the type of help they are truly ready to provide.
Video interviews happen before we propose a caregiver to you. If you want to speak with the person as well, tell us when we discuss the match so we can arrange that conversation before ongoing visits begin.