Must-ask companion caregiver interview questions to hire the right pick

Hiring a companion caregiver is different from hiring for almost any other role. Not only does the caregiving usually happen inside a senior’s home, but the caregiver’s personality, communication style and overall compatibility with the senior are just as important as their skillset.  

“When hiring a companion caregiver, it’s important that the set-up is a good fit for the care receiver, as well as the caregiver,” says Dr. Macie Smith, a gerontologist with Synergy HomeCare. “Personality traits and behavioral characteristics will make a big difference in determining a perfect match.” 

From assessing their experience level to what to ask during the interview, here’s everything you should look for when hiring a companion caregiver.

What is a companion caregiver?

A companion caregiver provides non-medical support to seniors or others who need help maintaining their independence while still living at home, explains Frank Guerrieri, president and co-founder of Preferred Care at Home.

Find a companion caregiver near you.

“Unlike skilled nursing or personal care aides who focus primarily on medical tasks or direct physical care (like bathing and dressing), companion caregivers focus on the overall well-being of the person,” Guerrieri notes. Their role includes things like:

• Emotional support.
• Light housekeeping.
• Meal preparation.
• Medication reminders.
• Transportation.
• Running errands.
• Meaningful social interaction.

To learn more about exactly what a companion caregiver is and what they do, check out:

What is companion care for seniors and is it right for you?

Why are companion caregiver interviews so important?

A solid resume and clean background check aren’t all that’s required for this position. Because the work happens inside someone’s home and is so personal, Guerrieri notes that a caregiver’s personality can really make or break the role.

“A caregiver can have a spotless background check and impeccable references, but if their communication style clashes with the client’s temperament, the relationship won’t work,” he says. For that reason, companion caregiver interviews shouldn’t just focus on the tasks at hand, but also include questions that help you get to know the person and how they work. 

“Companion caregiving is personal,” says Elise Woappi, a caregiver, home health aide and founder and CEO at Wolfmates, an elder care concierge company. “It’s important for the caregiver and senior to actually enjoy spending time with each other in this role. If the caregiver’s credentials are good but their personality is off, that can create a lot of discomfort.”

Read more:

What is companion care and how much does it cost?

Questions to ask during companion caregiver interviews

Smith, Woappi and Guerrieri are in agreement that it’s best to steer clear of generic yes or no companion caregiver interview questions. Instead, ask things that will reveal genuine behavior, work ethic and communication style. 

Here are some questions to consider.

Questions on background and motivation

• What made you choose companion care?
• What do you enjoy most about working with seniors?
• How do you learn what a new client likes, dislikes, or needs from you?

Questions on temperament, initiative and adaptability

• Can you describe a time a client was confused, anxious, or resistant to help? How did you handle it?
• How do you handle days when a client is withdrawn or doesn’t feel like talking?
• What do you do when it feels like there is nothing to do?
• Tell me about a time you noticed something a client needed before they asked for it.
• If you arrived and there was no task list for the day, how would you decide what to do?
• Tell me about a time you had to make a decision on your own because you couldn’t reach anyone.

Questions on conflict, mistakes and feedback

• Tell me about a time you made a mistake at work. What did you do next?
• Tell me about a time you disagreed with a family member or supervisor about someone’s care. How did you handle it?
• Tell me about a time someone gave you feedback and you changed the way you were doing something.

Questions on safety and communication

• Can you walk me through a situation where a client had a sudden change in health or a fall? What action did you take?
• How do you keep family members updated on their loved one’s daily health, routine or mood changes?

Red flags to look for during companion caregiver interviews

According to Smith, Woappi and Guerrieri, these are red flags worth paying attention to during your interview

• Vague, generic answers. 
• Badmouthing past clients or employers. 
• Poor listening and body language. 
• Deflecting or vague answers about attendance and punctuality. 
• Talking only about tasks, never about the person.

Their resume should also align with their actual experience, Woappi says, noting: “If a caregiver claims to be certified or experienced in something but, in person, can’t provide examples that demonstrate that experience, that’s something I’d take seriously.”

“Interviewing multiple candidates provides a family the ability to make more informed and well-rounded decisions.”

— Frank Guerrieri, home care company founder

What questions should I be prepared to answer from candidates?

A good caregiver will have questions during the interview. Guerrieri and Woappi both expect candidates to ask about routines, preferences and communication style. 

Here are a few questions you should be prepared to answer:

• What does a typical day look like?
• What does your loved one enjoy or dislike?
• How independent are they, and where’s the line between help they want and help the family thinks they need?
• Are there pets in the home?
• Will driving be required? If so, whose car and how are mileage and expenses handled?
• What’s the schedule?
• What happens if a shift is cancelled or I need time off?
• Who should I call if something changes or a concern comes up?
• What are the boundaries around guests, food, phones, smoking, gifts and money?

How many companion caregivers should I interview?

Guerrieri recommends interviewing at least three candidates. “This allows a family to compare important elements such as experience, personality and communication styles,” he says. “Interviewing multiple candidates provides a family the ability to make more informed and well-rounded decisions.” 

Should caregivers work a trial shift before hiring?

Yes, Smith recommends having companion caregivers work at least two trial shifts. Smith also stresses that the caregiver needs to know upfront that it’s a trial and they haven’t been hired yet, so both sides understand if it doesn’t work out. 

Guerrieri suggests a paid two-to-four-hour working interview. This lets everyone see how the caregiver-senior dynamic plays out in real life before committing long-term.

Afterwards, check in with your loved one. Ask questions like:

• Did you feel comfortable with this caregiver?
• Did you feel listened to?
• Did they give you enough space?
• Would you like them to come back?

A companion caregiver interview isn’t like a typical job interview — it’s essentially an attempt to predict how two people will get along inside someone’s home, on a regular basis. While an interview alone may not be enough to gauge compatibility, a few trial shifts should offer insight. 

And take care not to rush things throughout the process, notes Smith, who says: “If you hire someone and it’s not a good match, that could affect the way companion services are perceived by the care receiver going forward.”