Background Checking: Resources That Help

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Stories fill the news about aides who take advantage of, rather than care for, a parent, spouse, or other family member in their home. Drained savings accounts, missing jewelry, and unexplained bruises are all too common experiences. One way to avoid becoming a victim is to conduct an attendant background check. Background checks include a review of job performance and verification that the information provided to the family caregiver is accurate, and that the attendant can do the job that the caregiver needs to be done.

Some states, including California, are referred to as closed record states because most criminal records are not readily available to the public. Although this makes checking an attendant’s history more challenging than in other states, a background check can still be conducted.




Conducting a Background Check Yourself

Create a file for each candidate. At the interview, ask for the following information and use this information in your search:

  • Meet with the person either at your home or at a nearby restaurant or coffee shop. During the face-to-face meeting with a potential candidate, invite the care recipient to participate when appropriate. One family caregiver suggested that if the prospective attendant spoke only to her and ignored her mother-in-law, she knew the attendant wasn’t compassionate enough.
  • Ask to see a photo identification card such as a valid driver's license or passport. Other valid forms of identification (ID) include: Department of Motor Vehicles ID card, Green card, Military ID card, Immigration card, Alien Registration card, or a valid out-of state Driver's License. Write down the number on the ID card. If the attendant will be providing transportation, get proof of a clean driving record by calling the DMV and verify license, insurance, and car dependability. Don’t be afraid to ask for a test drive.
  • Record the attendant’s full name, birth date, address, and phone number, and Social Security number on the ID card. Ask for a current address and any other city and/or state where they have lived in the last ten to 15 years.


Hiring Others to Conduct a Background Check




California law allows certain government and private organizations qualifying as an “applicant agency” to conduct criminal record background checks to help determine the suitability of a person applying for a license, employment, or as a volunteer working with children, the elderly, or the disabled. Qualifying organizations can include law enforcement agencies, public and private schools, nonprofit organizations, and in-home supportive care agencies.


Hiring Through a Home Care Agency



Tip: California is called a “closed record state.” The California Penal Code 11105.3 restricts the distribution of criminal background checks. Records are released according to specific categories. For example, a background check on a person applying to be a police officer will include any arrest and/or conviction for life. A background check for a person applying as a home care aide, on the other hand, will include only arrests and/or convictions for the last three years.


What is TrustLine?



Caregivers can check to see if a provider is registered on TrustLine by calling (800) 822-8490. You’ll need to provide the person’s full name and driver’s license number. It’s free. If your current aide or the aide you are interviewing is not registered, just call TrustLine’s 800 number or see How to Register/Applications and Fees to learn how they can apply.


What Is a Private Investigator?


A California-licensed “private investigator” is a person who engages in business or accepts employment to protect persons; conducts investigations; determines the cause or responsibility for fires, losses, accidents, or damages to persons or property; or gathers information to be used in court.



What About Financial Abuse?



Warning Signs of Abuse

If a family caregiver is concerned about potential abuse by a hired attendant, here are some warning signs of a potential problem (adapted from the Mesa, Arizona Police Department):

  • Does the attendant isolate the client from family and friends?



Family Caregiver Alliance
National Center on Caregiving
Email: [email protected]
FCA CareJourney:
Family Care Navigator:



FCA Fact and Tip Sheets

A listing of all facts and tips is available online at

Hiring In-Home Help


Other Organizations and Links


Megan’s Law 
Lists convicted sexual abuse offenders. (California) (all states)

Senior Gateway
California Department of Business Oversight has information with links for reporting elder abuse, contacting the LTC Ombudsman office, and researching nursing home licensing. 

Elder Financial Protection Network


This fact sheet was prepared by Family Caregiver Alliance. ©2013 Family Caregiver Alliance. All rights reserved,