How do I Choose an In-Home Senior Care Giver
By Ron Marr, eHow Contributor
Hiring an in-home senior care giver is not a task that should be undertaken lightly. The care giver may be called upon to make immediate decisions, provide medical care, cook meals and provide transportation. A senior who make plans in advance, before he reaches a state where in-home care is needed, will likely be more satisfied with the quality of care than an individual who leaves his needs to the sole discretion of family members. In-home care for seniors can become an emotional and financial burden, and preparation is the key to resolution with a minimum of conflict.
Instructions
Things You’ll Need:
- Telephone
- Computer
- Write a list of the needs of the individual for whom care is sought. Add considerations such as medical problems, memory loss, transportation needs, social activities, dietary restrictions, personal hygiene requirements and whether full-time or part-time care is warranted.
- Compile a list of the skills and characteristics a care giver should possess. Specify requirements for medical training, language fluency and the preferred age and gender. Consult with your physician and ask if she recommends any particular caregiver agencies or individual contractors. Place particular emphasis on whether a housekeeper, home health aid or registered nurse is the correct choice for the patient’s needs.
- Write a job description and begin contacting health care agencies and individual care givers. Discuss the type of help you are seeking and ask whether the worker is bonded, insured and has references. Inquire as to rates, and if appropriate, schedule a personal interview.
- Conduct interviews with potential care givers. Invite several relatives of the person needing in-home care to help conduct the interviews. Look for experience in skilled areas if such services are needed. Check references after the interview has been completed.
- Invite the most qualified candidates for a second interview and introduce them to the person requiring care. Allow the patient, if of a competent mental state, to have full input on hiring. Discuss the best candidate with family members and make a selection. Offer the position to a caregiver on the conditions that he must submit to–and pass–a criminal background check and a full medical exam.
