Find the right caregiver
Red flags & green flags
You'll feel a lot of this in your gut. Here's what to notice, so your instincts have good information behind them. None of these is a verdict on its own, look at the whole picture.
In the interview
Green flags
- Warmth when they talk about people they've cared for
- Specific stories, not vague generalities
- Patience and calm, especially about hard moments
- Honest about what they don't know
- Asks about your loved one as a person
- Clear about their availability and reliability
Red flags
- Speaks about past clients with irritation or blame
- Can't give concrete examples
- Rushes you, or seems only interested in pay
- Defensive or evasive about their history
- Would force or shame someone into care
- Vague or shifting about their schedule
In references and background
Green flags
- References answer readily and warmly
- A quick, genuine "yes" to "would you hire them again?"
- Recent, relevant references (past families or employers)
- Willing to complete a background check without hesitation
- Their story matches across the interview and references
Red flags
- Reluctant or unable to provide references
- Only friends or relatives as references
- Hesitation or vagueness about why past jobs ended
- Resistance to a background check
- Details that don't line up
During the trial shift and first weeks
Green flags
- Your loved one seems comfortable, even brighter
- On time, and communicates if plans change
- Notices needs without being told
- Respects the home, the routine, and privacy
- Tells you honestly how the day went, including a fall or a hard moment
Red flags
- Your loved one seems anxious, withdrawn, or fearful
- Frequent lateness or last-minute call-offs
- Phone-focused, distracted, or hard to reach
- Unexplained missing items or money
- Discourages family from visiting or checking in
- Any sign of rough handling, neglect, or fear, act on this immediately
Trust the whole picture. One yellow flag in an otherwise warm, honest person is human. A cluster of red flags, or your loved one seeming afraid, is your signal to slow down or step away. If you ever suspect mistreatment, act right away, and in an emergency call 911.
Start with people who already check out
Browse background-checked caregivers, watch their video interviews, and look for the green flags before you ever call.
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This is general guidance to support your judgment, not a substitute for it, and not legal or medical advice. If you suspect abuse or neglect, contact your local Adult Protective Services, or 911 in an emergency.