What You Need to Look For When Hiring a Caregiver
Hiring a caregiver is a process that involves multiple steps – and it can happen in multiple ways. Whether you decide to privately hire or go through an agency, finding a caregiver can be quite a difficult journey.
But, when you know exactly what you need to look for in a caregiver, the process becomes increasingly easier.
If you’re reading this, you may have written numerous lists filled with the qualities you desire in a caregiver. After all, this person will be taking care of someone you love but you cannot care for yourself.
While it’s important for you to have an idea of what you’d like in a caregiver, there are some absolute musts that you need to consider. Continue reading to learn more.
Assess the Needs of Your Loved One
The first step in hiring a caregiver is assessing the needs of your loved one. In-home elderly care is very personal, not only for the recipient but for the family too, so it’s essential that you consider what is needed before hiring a caregiver.
When you evaluate the needs of your loved one, think about the following:
- Do they require physical therapy, medication management, or other home healthcare?
- Do they need care aside from the medical aspect such as help with bathing, eating, using the bathroom, getting dressed, and so on?
- Do they need help getting groceries, shopping, paying bills, home maintenance, and so on?
Assessing these needs will reveal to you the kind of caregiver needed for your loved one. It will also help the caregiver understand what exactly they should be doing.
Enthusiasm, Education, and Experience
These three E’s are key to remember when privately hiring a caregiver or using an agency. Firstly, a caregiver should be enthusiastic about the work they do – after all, they are caring for your loved one. They shouldn’t dread doing so!
Secondly, they should have some sort of education about this line of work. There are hundreds of ailments and illnesses that the elderly endure, and it’s imperative that you ensure the chosen caregiver knows about your loved one.
Lastly, caregivers with experience are likely more qualified (depending on your situation) to come into your loved one’s home and care for them.
Listen to Their Answers
When hiring a caregiver, you will need to interview them directly or interview with an agency or registry. Your job? Come with a list of well-rounded, open-ended questions, and listen to what the interviewee says!
By doing this alone, you’re sure to spark a hearty response. The in-home senior care group Visiting Angels recommend these eight caregiver interview questions:
- What inspired you to become a professional caregiver?
- What are your specialties and do you specialize in what is ailing my loved one?
- Are you more shy and reserved, or outgoing and talkative?
- What do your hobbies include?
- How often will you perform assessments and make updates to your written care plan?
- What is your policy for communicating between a client and their family members?
- How do you handle stressful situations? Please give me some examples and what you did to deal with them.
- What type of food are you able to cook, and do you have any experience cooking meals for clients?
Depending on what they say, you will begin to gain a sense of whether this could be the caregiver for your loved one.
Hiring a Caregiver
While the first step in hiring a caregiver truly depends on you, knowing what your loved one needs will help tremendously in finding the proper person to care for them.
Remember that in your search for a caregiver, they should be enthusiastic, educated, and experienced! Lastly, listen to the answers they give you during the interview process.
All three of these aspects are crucial if you want to find the best care for your loved one.
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