Scared You’ll Hire the Wrong In-Home Caregiver? Resources for Getting it Right

So many of our clients ask this same question:

How do I find the right caregivers for my loved one?

We asked a geriatric care manager to weigh in. Here’s what she said:

“There’s a lot you need to know about hiring caregivers. You can’t always be there yourself, but trusting a stranger with your loved one can feel like playing pin the tail on the donkey.”

Way too much potential for getting it wrong.

There are plenty of horror stories in the news about unscrupulous, negligent or abusive caregivers who take advantage of frail elders.

Fortunately, there is plenty of information available to help you steer clear of trouble, whether you decide to hire your own caregivers or work with a home care agency. Here are some great resources:

Advice from the experts

AARP

You’re entrusting your loved with a stranger…you’d better know the right questions to ask!

Check out AARP’s checklist for hiring an in-home caregiver and the article “How to Hire a Caregiver”. It will help you with:

Understanding types of caregivers
Steps in the homecare giver hiring process
Assessing needs
Checking references

Alzheimer’s Association

There are special considerations when hiring a caregiver for your loved one with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia. The Alzheimer’s Association’s article about In-Home Health Care recommends asking these questions:

Are you trained in first aid and CPR?
Do you have experience working with someone with dementia?
Are you trained in dementia care?
Are you able to manage our specific health and behavioral care needs?

The article describes the various types of home care services, and lists numerous useful resources for finding and comparing home health agencies.

AGIS.com – Assist Guide Information Services

AGIS has a wealth of unbiased information on all aspects of elder care. For families seeking to hire caregivers, the Home Care Support Services checklists are detailed and comprehensive, guiding you in asking all the right questions and defining your expectations. You can also access:

Professional Caregiver Interview Forms
Professional Caregiver Work Agreements
Questions to ask when hiring a home care agency

Feeling a bit over your head?

Hiring the right caregiver is not a simple process and by now you may be feeling a little overwhelmed. It’s not impossible, but if you’re not up to going it alone, working with a geriatric care manager is an excellent option.

As we discussed in a recent post, a care manager can help you understand the types of care your loved one needs. He or she can map out a plan of care, hire qualified and compassionate caregivers, and coach them for you.

To many, in-home caregivers are angels. But you have to do your homework first. Take advantage of all the resources available. It’ll pay off dearly.