Can you start care the day someone is discharged from the hospital?

Yes — in many cases we can begin same-day or next-day with advance notice. Call as early as possible at (949) 690-9990 so we can prepare.

How long is post-surgery care typically needed?

It varies by procedure and individual recovery. Some families need 1–2 weeks of intensive support; others benefit from a longer gradual step-down. We reassess regularly.

Can Agape caregivers coordinate with home health nurses after surgery?

Agape caregivers provide non-medical personal care that complements home health nursing. If your loved one has both, we coordinate communication to support a smooth recovery.

Do your caregivers have experience with cancer patients?

Agape has provided care for many clients navigating cancer treatment and recovery. We match caregivers thoughtfully, considering both practical experience and the emotional temperament this work requires.

Can Agape work alongside a home health nurse or hospice team?

Yes. Agape provides non-medical personal care that complements — not replaces — your loved one's medical team. We coordinate with other providers to make sure nothing falls through the cracks.

What if we only need help during treatment days?

We offer flexible scheduling. Many families start with care on treatment days and adjust from there. Call us and we'll build a schedule that fits your situation.

Can Agape caregivers handle oxygen equipment for COPD patients?

Agape caregivers provide non-medical personal care — they do not operate, adjust, or manage medical equipment including oxygen concentrators or tanks. They can assist with daily activities while oxygen equipment is in use.

How do you make sure the home environment is safe for someone with COPD?

Our caregivers keep the home clean, reduce clutter and fall hazards, and ensure good ventilation where possible. Specific environmental concerns can be discussed during the free in-home assessment.

What if my loved one has a bad day and needs more help than usual?

We build flexibility into care plans for exactly this reason. Call our office anytime at (949) 690-9990 and we will do our best to adjust coverage when your loved one needs more support.

Can caregivers help with exercises my loved one's doctor has recommended?

Agape caregivers can encourage and assist with gentle movement routines prescribed by a physician or physical therapist. They do not provide therapy themselves, but supporting your loved one to stay active is part of what they do.

What if my loved one's mobility changes over time?

Agape adjusts care plans as needs evolve. We reassess regularly and will have an honest conversation if the level of care needed changes.

Can you provide care just for a few hours in the morning?

Yes. Many arthritis care clients need the most help with the morning routine. We offer flexible scheduling — including morning-only visits.

Can Agape start care immediately after a hospital discharge for a cardiac event?

In many cases, yes — often within 24–48 hours. Cardiac discharge care is time-sensitive and we understand that. Call (949) 690-9990 as soon as a discharge date is known and we'll move quickly.

Can caregivers follow dietary restrictions from my loved one's cardiologist?

Yes. Caregivers can prepare meals according to dietary guidelines provided by the medical team — low sodium, low fat, fluid restrictions, and similar parameters. Share those guidelines during your assessment.

If something seems wrong, will the caregiver know what to do?

Agape caregivers are trained to recognize when to contact the family and when to call 911. They do not provide medical care, but they are a present, responsible first point of contact. Our office is reachable 24/7 at (949) 690-9990.

Can Agape caregivers assist during physical or occupational therapy sessions?

Agape caregivers provide personal care and daily living support — they do not provide therapy. They can accompany your loved one to therapy appointments and support home exercise routines as directed by their therapist.

How soon after a stroke can care begin?

Often within 24–72 hours of your call. We understand that stroke recovery care often begins with an urgent transition home. Call (949) 690-9990 and we will work to move quickly.

Will the same caregiver come each time?

We prioritize consistency, especially for stroke recovery clients where familiarity supports cognitive recovery. We assign a primary caregiver and do our best to maintain that consistency.

Is it too early for home care if my father still drives and lives independently?

Starting care early — even just a few hours a week — can actually extend independence. A caregiver can help with tasks that are becoming harder while your father maintains control over the rest of his routine.

Can caregivers help with physical therapy exercises?

Caregivers can encourage and assist with exercises prescribed by a physician or physical therapist, but they do not provide therapy themselves. They can be a supportive presence during home exercise routines.

What if his needs change significantly?

Agape adjusts care plans as needs evolve. If the level of care required exceeds what non-medical home care can safely provide, we'll have an honest conversation with your family about next steps.

Can your caregivers handle someone with advanced dementia?

Agape carefully matches caregivers to client needs. For individuals with advanced dementia or challenging behaviors, we select caregivers with specific experience in this area. Please tell us about your loved one's current stage during your free assessment call at (949) 690-9990.

Will my loved one have the same caregiver each visit?

Agape works hard to provide consistency, which is especially important for individuals with dementia. We do our best to assign a consistent caregiver and always provide thorough handoff information when coverage changes are necessary.

My parent refuses to accept help. What do we do?

This is one of the most common challenges families face. Starting with companionship before personal care often helps ease the transition. We are glad to talk through strategies on your free assessment call.

What services does Agape Home Care provide?

Agape Home Care provides non-medical personal care services including bathing, dressing, grooming, meal preparation, light housekeeping, medication reminders, companionship, transportation, and supervision for seniors and individuals with disabilities throughout Orange County, California.

Is Agape Home Care licensed in California?

Yes. Agape Home Care is a licensed Home Care Organization (HCO) regulated by the California Department of Social Services (CDSS). All of our caregivers are registered Home Care Aides (HCAs) who are fingerprint-cleared and hold current TB clearance.

What areas of Orange County does Agape Home Care serve?

Agape Home Care serves clients throughout Orange County, including Irvine, Anaheim, Santa Ana, Newport Beach, Huntington Beach, Costa Mesa, Orange, Fullerton, Laguna Beach, Laguna Niguel, Mission Viejo, Lake Forest, Aliso Viejo, Tustin, Garden Grove, Westminster, Fountain Valley, Brea, Placentia, Yorba Linda, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, Dana Point, Laguna Woods, Laguna Hills, Rancho Santa Margarita, Buena Park, and Cypress.

How quickly can care begin?

In many cases, we can begin care within 24 to 48 hours of completing an in-home assessment. For urgent situations such as post-hospital discharge, we work hard to arrange care as quickly as possible.

Does Agape Home Care provide Alzheimer's and dementia care?

Yes. We specialize in memory care support for individuals with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. Our caregivers are trained to provide safe supervision, routine-based care, and compassionate companionship for those with cognitive challenges.

Does Agape Home Care accept insurance or Medi-Cal?

Agape Home Care is a private-pay agency. We do not bill Medicare or Medi-Cal directly. However, many clients use long-term care insurance benefits, and we are happy to provide documentation to assist with long-term care insurance reimbursement claims.

Can caregivers provide care in assisted living facilities or hospitals?

Yes. Our caregivers provide care wherever our clients live, including private homes, assisted living facilities, memory care communities, skilled nursing facilities, and hospitals throughout Orange County.

How are Agape caregivers selected and trained?

Every Agape caregiver is carefully interviewed, reference-checked, and registered with the California Department of Social Services as a Home Care Aide. All caregivers are fingerprint-cleared, hold current TB clearance, and complete ongoing training before working with our clients.

What is the minimum number of hours for care?

Our standard minimum shift is four hours. We offer flexible scheduling from a few hours per week up to 24-hour live-in care, depending on your loved one's needs.

How do I get started with Agape Home Care?

Getting started is simple. Call us at (949) 690-9990 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free in-home care assessment. One of our care coordinators will visit your home, learn about your loved one's needs, and design a personalized care plan.

← Learning Center

How to Choose a Home Care Agency in Orange County: 7 Questions to Ask

Choosing a home care agency is one of the most consequential decisions a family makes — and it’s almost always made under pressure. Someone has just been discharged from the hospital. A parent’s condition has changed. And there are a dozen agencies in Orange County ready to take your call, all sounding remarkably similar.

What actually separates agencies lives in the details. The questions you ask — and the answers you receive — are how you find those details.

7 Questions Every Family Should Ask

1. Are you licensed by the state of California as a Home Care Organization?

This is the foundation. California requires agencies providing non-medical personal care to be licensed as a Home Care Organization (HCO) through CDSS. This law requires caregivers to be registered on the CDSS Home Care Aide Registry and have completed state background checks.

Ask directly: “What is your HCO license number?” A legitimate agency will give it to you immediately. Agape’s license number: 304700032.

2. How are your caregivers screened, and who employs them?

In the agency model, caregivers are employees — the agency carries workers’ compensation, handles payroll taxes, and is legally responsible for the caregiver’s conduct in your home. In the registry model, you become the legal employer. Ask: “Is the caregiver fingerprint-cleared through the California DOJ?”

3. What happens when my regular caregiver is sick?

This question reveals operational reality. Ask: “If my caregiver calls in sick at 6am, what happens? If I have an emergency on a Sunday night, is there a real person I can reach?” The answer tells you whether there’s an accountable human running this — or just a 9-to-5 scheduler.

4. How do you match caregivers to clients?

A technically qualified caregiver who is a poor personality fit will not provide good care. Ask: “Do you consider language, personality, habits, and preferences — not just care needs?” And: “If the first caregiver isn’t the right fit, how do you handle that?”

5. What is your caregiver turnover like?

High turnover means inconsistent care — especially harmful for clients with dementia. Turnover reflects how an agency treats its caregivers. Ask: “How do you support and retain your caregivers? What does ongoing training look like?”

6. Who is my point of contact, and how do I reach them?

Ask: “If I have a concern at 9pm on a Saturday, who do I call? Will I reach a person or a voicemail?” An agency that funnels everything through a call center is not the same as one where you can reach the owner directly.

7. Tell me about a difficult case you’ve handled.

Every agency can tell you about their best cases. Ask about a hard one. What you’re listening for isn’t perfection — it’s honesty, accountability, and real problem-solving capacity.

Trust your gut. Does the person you’re speaking with actually listen? Do they ask about your loved one as a person, or jump straight to packages and pricing? Families who have good outcomes almost always describe the initial conversation as feeling different — like someone actually heard them and cared about getting it right.

Ready to Talk? We Answer Every Call.

No voicemail. No call center. When you call Agape, you reach a real person who knows your family’s situation and can help you understand your options — same day.

Schedule a Free Assessment Call (949) 690-9990

How to Choose a Home Care Agency in Orange County: 7 Questions to Ask

How to Choose a Home Care Agency in Orange County: 7 Questions to Ask

7 Questions Every Family Should Ask

1. Are you licensed by the state of California as a Home Care Organization?

2. How are your caregivers screened, and who employs them?

3. What happens when my regular caregiver is sick?

4. How do you match caregivers to clients?

5. What is your caregiver turnover like?

6. Who is my point of contact, and how do I reach them?

7. Tell me about a difficult case you’ve handled.

We’re Here to Help

Ready to Talk? We Answer Every Call.