Personal referrals from friends or family are a great start. Your community may also have a registry that lists pre-screened caregivers.
When you are interviewing potential attendants, ask questions about their experience and background. You should also discuss their specialized skills and what tasks they are comfortable performing. You should also ask if they have any language skills and if their shifts include meals.
1. Know Your Needs
You may choose to how to find a caregiver for elderly your loved one through an agency, which can provide a larger pool of candidates. It may also be less expensive. However, agencies are not available in every community.
Consider your aging loved one’s care needs before starting the search. Having a clear job description will help you narrow down your options. Make a list of tasks that the person should perform and how often, including transporting them to family events, doctor visits and community activities.
Ask for references and credentials to ensure that you are hiring someone who is qualified and trustworthy. You should also discuss salary, benefits and other perks such as vacation pay and petty cash. Caregivers are people too and deserve time to relax and enjoy life.
2. Determine Your Budget
There are many options available to pay for senior home caregivers. These include long term care insurance policies, traditional health insurance, self payment and even Medicaid. Some local community groups, faith communities and senior service agencies may also have access to low-cost home attendant care through specialized funding.
Families seeking a private hire can use a website or registry to find caregivers who can work on either a short-term basis for respite care or full time in the home. Agencies typically offer a range of services that are included in the cost such as background checks, training and back-up care.
In addition, they may be able to help arrange bills and assist with household chores. This can take a lot of pressure off family members and help prevent their loved ones from accidentally having utilities cut or insurance canceled.
3. Look for a Reputable Agency
Depending on the level of care your aging loved one needs, you might need to look for an agency that specializes in home caregivers. These agencies typically screen their caregivers, provide liability insurance and workmen’s compensation insurance and handle employment tax paperwork.
Many agencies have an extensive network of contacts in the community, including doctors and hospital staff and social workers. Ask friends and family who have used home care agencies for recommendations.
Also, consider reaching out to local organizations, such as community colleges, senior centers and state home care associations for caregiver referrals. This type of community outreach can help you establish a reputation locally and attract more applicants.
4. Conduct a Background Check
After interviewing candidates, you should narrow down your top choices. A thorough background check is a critical step in the hiring process, especially for caregivers who work with vulnerable patients. This includes checking the caregiver’s name against several different registries established to track those who have abused patients or committed fraud.
In addition to confirming credentials, licensing and experience, you should also ask for references and call them. A good reference can help you determine if the candidate is a good fit for your loved one. You should also arrange to meet the caregiver face-to-face before making your final decision. This gives you a chance to see how the person interacts with your elderly loved one, which is very important. It’s also a good time to discuss job duties and expectations.
5. Schedule an Interview
In-home caregivers can provide nonmedical assistance, from a few times a week to full-time care. Before you start the hiring process, make sure you have a clear idea of what type of help your loved one needs. This will guide your interview questions and the qualifications you look for in a candidate.
You can also ask for referrals from friends or family members who have experienced home caregivers. However, keep in mind that even though these people can be trustworthy, they may not always have the credentials, training, and experience you are seeking.
In addition, consider giving the applicant a trial period before hiring them to see how they work with your senior. This way, you can get a feel for their personality and see whether they have a good fit with your elder.
