Choosing an in-home caregiver
When you decide to bring a caregiver into your home to care for you or your loved ones, it can be a daunting task to pick the right person. As well as the obvious criteria, such as cost, you will have to weigh up whether this person is going to be a good fit, and whether they have the necessary skills and common sense to give you the confidence to leave them in charge for a period of time.
If you choose to interview a number of people (which is a good idea), its a good idea to have a list of questions to ask. You should ask the same questions of everyone, otherwise you are not judging "apples with apples". Interviewing can be a minefield, however, as there are a lot of questions that you cannot legally ask an applicant. A google search on 'acceptable interview questions" is a good start. Remember to ask situation type questions, which do not have a yes/no answer. Such questions may start "what would you do if....." or "what would you do in this situation....". You can then ask questions that are specific to your situation, to get an idea of how this person would react and deal with an event that may occur.
It is important to know that the person you bring into your home does not present any risks to you or your loved one, so it is important to carry out background checks and drugs screening tests. You will need to get the applicant's permission to follow up on references - again, have standard questions that you ask every referee. Be aware that most employers will not divulge a lot of information - it may just be limited to the employment dates. A good question to ask is "is this person eligible for rehire?"
Once you decide on the right person, be sure to put together an agreement or contract so there is no confusion about what the person is going to be paid, and how often. Try and nail down all the details as much as possible - is there a travel allowance? Is there time off for meal times? Paid holiday?
Finally, be aware that as an employer (which is what you are if you hire a private caregiver), you are responsible for the employees taxes and insurance. Insurance is a very big issue - if the caregiver falls or otherwise hurts him or herself whilst in your home, you could be responsible for costs of treatment or even lost wages.
If you are feeling that there is a lot involved here, then you are right. It can be a minefield to hire a private caregiver - although there is no doubt that it can work. The benefits are that it is a cheap option - and if you find the right person, it can be a great relationship. But quite frequently things do not turn out as well as hoped, and things can go wrong, leaving you feeling vulnerable.
Luckily, there is another option, and that is hiring an in-home care agency to provide your in-home care needs. A reputable agency will carry out all the interviewing and background checks that are required, including drugs screening, and will make sure that the caregiver is insured to work in your home. they should work hard to make sure that the caregiver is a good fit for your situation - and if it isn't, they should provide a replacement. You have a contract with the agency rather than the caregiver, so you never have to talk about money with the caregiver. There is also ongoing training and supervision, to make sure that the caregiver is doing what they are supposed to do. Make sure that the agency is licensed in your state, and has a good reputation. Do not be afraid to ask for references or testimonials, and take note of what other people might be saying about the agency. Make a point of meeting the owners or managers - if you feel comfortable with them then you will feel more confident with the staff that they send. Also, if you have long term care insurance, most companies will only accept care that is provided through a licensed agency.
The downside is that care is more expensive through an agency; but you do not have the burden and responsibility of being an employer.
If you choose to interview a number of people (which is a good idea), its a good idea to have a list of questions to ask. You should ask the same questions of everyone, otherwise you are not judging "apples with apples". Interviewing can be a minefield, however, as there are a lot of questions that you cannot legally ask an applicant. A google search on 'acceptable interview questions" is a good start. Remember to ask situation type questions, which do not have a yes/no answer. Such questions may start "what would you do if....." or "what would you do in this situation....". You can then ask questions that are specific to your situation, to get an idea of how this person would react and deal with an event that may occur.
It is important to know that the person you bring into your home does not present any risks to you or your loved one, so it is important to carry out background checks and drugs screening tests. You will need to get the applicant's permission to follow up on references - again, have standard questions that you ask every referee. Be aware that most employers will not divulge a lot of information - it may just be limited to the employment dates. A good question to ask is "is this person eligible for rehire?"
Once you decide on the right person, be sure to put together an agreement or contract so there is no confusion about what the person is going to be paid, and how often. Try and nail down all the details as much as possible - is there a travel allowance? Is there time off for meal times? Paid holiday?
Finally, be aware that as an employer (which is what you are if you hire a private caregiver), you are responsible for the employees taxes and insurance. Insurance is a very big issue - if the caregiver falls or otherwise hurts him or herself whilst in your home, you could be responsible for costs of treatment or even lost wages.
If you are feeling that there is a lot involved here, then you are right. It can be a minefield to hire a private caregiver - although there is no doubt that it can work. The benefits are that it is a cheap option - and if you find the right person, it can be a great relationship. But quite frequently things do not turn out as well as hoped, and things can go wrong, leaving you feeling vulnerable.
Luckily, there is another option, and that is hiring an in-home care agency to provide your in-home care needs. A reputable agency will carry out all the interviewing and background checks that are required, including drugs screening, and will make sure that the caregiver is insured to work in your home. they should work hard to make sure that the caregiver is a good fit for your situation - and if it isn't, they should provide a replacement. You have a contract with the agency rather than the caregiver, so you never have to talk about money with the caregiver. There is also ongoing training and supervision, to make sure that the caregiver is doing what they are supposed to do. Make sure that the agency is licensed in your state, and has a good reputation. Do not be afraid to ask for references or testimonials, and take note of what other people might be saying about the agency. Make a point of meeting the owners or managers - if you feel comfortable with them then you will feel more confident with the staff that they send. Also, if you have long term care insurance, most companies will only accept care that is provided through a licensed agency.
The downside is that care is more expensive through an agency; but you do not have the burden and responsibility of being an employer.
Comments