Serving Oakland · Macomb · Wayne counties
Family guide
How to choose a home care agency for a veteran
You can ask VA for an agency by name. Here is how to pick a good one in Michigan, where non-medical home care is not licensed.
Start here: you can ask for an agency by name
When VA authorizes Homemaker / Home Health Aide care or respite, the VA social worker sends a referral to a community agency VA can use in your area. You can ask for a specific agency by name. The social worker will tell you what's possible.
So it's worth choosing before VA picks for you. And if care has already started with an agency that isn't working out, you can ask the social worker about changing.
Michigan doesn't license non-medical home care
This is the most important thing most families don't know. Michigan licenses home health agencies, which provide skilled nursing and therapy. It does not license agencies that provide non-medical help like bathing, meals and companionship.
The Michigan Attorney General's non-medical home care agency checklist puts it plainly: "This is an unregulated industry and it is up to the consumer to determine suitability." That means the questions you ask matter.
Questions to ask any agency
| Ask about | What a good answer sounds like |
|---|---|
| Background checks | State and national criminal background checks on every caregiver, plus reference checks. For VA work, screening against federal exclusion lists. |
| Employees or contractors | Caregivers are employees, so the agency handles payroll taxes, supervision and workers' compensation. |
| Insurance and bonding | The agency can show proof of liability insurance, bonding and workers' compensation. |
| Training | Training before the first visit alone, with a hands-on skills check, and ongoing training such as dementia care. |
| Supervision | A named care coordinator who checks in and makes some unannounced visits. |
| Backup caregivers | A clear plan for when the regular caregiver is sick or on vacation. |
| A written care plan | A personalized plan listing the specific tasks for each visit. |
| Fees and hours | Clear, written rates, minimum visit lengths and billing. For VA-authorized hours, no bill to the family. |
| Complaints | A simple way to raise a concern and a real person who follows up. |
Adapted from the Michigan Attorney General's checklist.
Extra questions for VA care
- Do you accept VA community care referrals in our county?
- How quickly do you respond to a referral, and how soon can you start? Ask for an honest estimate.
- Can you staff all the hours VA authorized? An agency that can only fill half is not a good fit.
- Do you keep the VA social worker informed? Missed visits, changes in condition and authorizations nearing their end date should all be reported.
- Do you understand veterans? Some families want a caregiver who knows military culture. Ask.
Red flags
- Pressure to sign a long contract or pay a large deposit.
- Caregivers paid as independent contractors, or "registries" that just match you with a worker.
- No written care plan, or no one to call after hours.
- Offers to help file VA benefit claims for a fee. Accredited Veterans Service Officers do that free.
- Promises about VA eligibility or hours. VA alone decides those.
How VETTED answers these questions
VETTED is a veteran-owned, service-disabled veteran-owned small business in Troy, serving Oakland, Macomb and Wayne counties. Every caregiver passes a background check, including federal exclusion list screening, is trained and skills-checked before working alone, and is supervised by a care coordinator. Details are on our credentials and standards page.
Ask us anything on this list: 248-794-9292.
Common questions
Can we choose which home care agency VA uses?
You can ask for one by name. Tell the VA social worker which agency you want. The agency has to be one VA can use in your area, and the social worker will tell you what is possible.
Are non-medical home care agencies licensed in Michigan?
No. Michigan licenses home health agencies that provide skilled care, but not non-medical home care agencies. The Michigan Attorney General calls it an unregulated industry, so ask each agency about background checks, insurance, training and supervision.
Can we switch home care agencies?
Yes. For VA-authorized care, talk to the VA social worker, explain why, and name the agency you'd like instead. VA handles the change in authorization.
What's the difference between a home care agency and a registry?
An agency employs, trains and supervises its caregivers. A registry typically connects you with independent workers, which can leave you responsible as the employer. Ask which you are dealing with.
Independent and veteran-owned. VETTED is not part of, and does not speak for, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. VA alone decides eligibility and authorized hours. Information on this site is general and is not a benefit determination. Page last updated September 24, 2026.