Realizing that a parent needs help at home is one thing. Knowing how to actually start is another — and the uncertainty is where a lot of families get stuck. This step-by-step guide lays out the whole process, from the first honest conversation to the first caregiver visit, so you can move forward with confidence. Most families begin with personal care services, then adjust from there.
A-Team Personal Care has guided Las Vegas families through this for over a decade. Here is the path we walk with them.
Step 1: Recognize the need honestly
Before logistics, get clear on what is actually happening. Spend a visit really looking: Is the fridge stocked? Is your parent bathing and dressing normally? Any new bruises or unsteadiness? Are bills and medications being managed? Writing down specific, concrete observations — rather than a vague sense that “something’s off” — will make every later step easier and help any agency recommend the right level of care.
Step 2: Have the family conversation
Talk with your parent (and siblings) before making decisions. Lead with their independence, not their decline — “I want you to stay in your home, and a little help makes that safer” lands better than “you can’t manage anymore.” Expect some resistance; it is normal. If hands-on help feels like too much at first, starting with a companion is often an easier entry point that builds trust.
Step 3: Identify the specific tasks you need covered
Turn your observations into a concrete list. Care is easier to arrange when you can name the tasks — for example, “help with a morning shower, breakfast, and light tidying three mornings a week.” Sorting needs into daily-living help (bathing, dressing, meals), household help, and companionship will tell you which services to ask about.
Step 4: Choose the right agency
Not all in-home care is equal, and the questions you ask up front protect your family. Ask whether caregivers are direct employees or contractors, what the minimum visit is, how background checks are handled, what happens if the regular caregiver is sick, and whether you can meet the caregiver first. Our full checklist of what to look for is in our guide on how to choose a personal care agency.
It is also worth confirming the agency’s scope. A-Team Personal Care is non-medical — we help with daily living and provide medication reminders, but we do not provide nursing, medical procedures, or transportation. If your parent also needs medical care, you will want a licensed home-health provider alongside us.
Step 5: Schedule a free in-home assessment
A good agency visits before quoting anything. During an assessment, we meet your parent, look at the home, talk through routines, and recommend a realistic plan and schedule. There is no obligation, and a thoughtful assessment is itself a sign of a quality provider. You can learn more about who you’d be working with on our About Us page.
Step 6: Build the care plan and meet the caregiver
From the assessment we create a written plan: which tasks the caregiver handles, which the family keeps, the schedule, and any preferences. Your family meets the assigned caregiver before care begins. We then start — often within a few days — and adjust as everyone settles in.
What about paying for it?
Non-medical home care is usually private pay or covered by long-term care insurance. Medicare does not cover non-medical care. For qualifying low-income seniors, Nevada Medicaid’s Personal Care Services program may help; we can point you toward the eligibility process. We will always talk through a realistic plan before you commit.
Non-medical scope: A-Team Personal Care provides non-medical in-home support only. We do not provide skilled nursing, medical care, or transportation, and we are glad to coordinate with your family’s medical providers.
Ready to take the first step?
Starting in-home care is far less daunting once you know the path. When you are ready, we will make the first step easy.
Call (702) 822-1253 or request a free assessment on our contact page.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I start in-home care for a parent in Las Vegas?
Recognize the specific needs, talk with your family, list the tasks to cover, choose a reputable agency, schedule a free in-home assessment, and build a care plan. Care can often begin within a few days of the assessment.
What should I ask a home-care agency before hiring?
Ask whether caregivers are employees or contractors, the minimum visit length, how background checks work, what happens if a caregiver is sick, whether you can meet the caregiver first, and whether the agency is medical or non-medical.
How quickly can in-home care start?
After an in-home assessment, A-Team Personal Care can typically begin within a few days. Some urgent situations can be accommodated sooner — call us to discuss.
Do I need a doctor’s order to start non-medical home care?
No. Non-medical home care is a private service you can arrange whenever your family decides it’s needed. A doctor’s order is only required for medical home-health services.
How much does in-home care cost?
It depends on the hours and level of care. Non-medical care is usually private pay or long-term care insurance, and for those who qualify, Nevada Medicaid’s Personal Care Services program may help. We provide a realistic plan at the free assessment.